I absolutely hate, despise, abhor “The Little Drummer Boy”. I’ve looked, but can’t find chapter and verse on that.
Another one I have issue with is a few verses of “The First Noel” with lyrics that say the shepherds followed a star, which they didn’t. The angel told them where to find the baby Jesus. The carol itself is gorgeous, though.
The wise men followed a star. Maybe three of them, but maybe 30 or 100. Nobody on earth knows. There were more than one because it’s plural. Those names ... where did they come from?
The Bible says they didn’t find “baby” Jesus in the manger, but visited the Christ “child” in His “house” probably when He was about two. (Experts say the journey they took from start to finish would’ve taken about two years.)
“I absolutely hate, despise, abhor “The Little Drummer Boy””
Probably the difference between us is that I don’t pay that much attention to the words.
I’d say also give the writers of the words of the hymns some latitude in their expression.