"Patapan" (or "Pat-a-pan") is a French Christmas carol in Burgundian dialect, later adapted into English. It was written by Bernard de la Monnoye (1641–1728) and first published in Noël bourguignons in 1720.[1] Its original title is "Guillô, pran ton tamborin" ("Willie, Bring Your Little Drum" or "Willie, Take Your Little Drum").

The carol revolves around the birth of Jesus, and is told from the perspective of shepherds playing simple instruments—flutes and drums—the onomatopoeic sound of whi...