Twelve drummers drumming marched in the big parade
till one fell in a manhole, then what a splash he made.

Eleven drummers drumming kept beat as bugles blared --
one dropped his stick and ran away when all the people stared.

Ten drummers drumming kept strong and steady time,
but one forgot the music and soon stepped out of line.

Nine drummers drumming played on to festive cheers,
then one tripped in a pothole and limped away to jeers.

Eight drummers drumming made children's spirits bright
when one developed hiccups and dropped clear out of sight.

Seven drummers drumming made noise throughout the town
till one's stick cracked and off he crept without another sound.

Six drummers drumming played Jingle Bells with glee
when one collided with an elf and broke his knobby knee.

Five drummers drumming looked grand with every stride
till one slipped on a patch of ice and hurt his manly pride.

Four drummers drumming kept marching right along,
then one who sneezed and sneezed again could not complete the song.

Three drummers drumming were sounding kind of weak,
but not till one gave up and ran did things look really bleak.

Two drummers drumming had trouble being heard
when one walked off and muttered, "This really is absurd."

One drummer drumming marched to the bitter end
where Santa shook his frost-bit hand and said, "Good job, my friend."