A group photo of young adult males in festive attire, including button-up shirts, suits with ties and pocket squares, gathered indoors against a backdrop decorated for the holidays. A guitar is held by one individual. 5:28

The 'Little Drummer Boy' gift that costs nothing

The old carol is about a poor boy who has nothing to bring but his drum. GENTRI, a singing group from Salt Lake City, turns that small offer into an invitation. more

Early on, someone asks, "Can I give it a try?" The answer is a simple "Sure." From there the group gives the song an upbeat twist. The singers are dressed up, some in suits and pocket squares, in a room trimmed for the holidays.

The old lines are all there, from "I am a poor boy" to "Shall I play for you?" and on to "then he smiled at me," with the harmony carrying them. Near the end, the same question comes back once more: "Can I give it a try?"

A group photo of young adult males in festive attire, including button-up shirts, suits with ties and pocket squares, gathered indoors against a backdrop decorated for the holidays. A guitar is held by one individual. The headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
The old carol is about a poor boy who has nothing to bring but his drum.

The song is part of Light the World, a campaign about giving. The idea is that a smile, or plain compassion when that's all you have, counts as much as anything you could wrap. The best gifts here cost nothing but time.

When the music stops, the singers say they are there with their good friends Nick Johnson and Clint Pulver. Then they keep the request simple: get out there and "light the world however you can," sharing whatever gifts you have, "whether it's visiting a friend or singing on the street." They close by wishing everyone "the happiest of holidays and a very merry Christmas."