In the episode 'In Excelsis Deo', which Christmas carol does the boys' choir perform?

In “In Excelsis Deo,” the boys’ choir performs “The Little Drummer Boy.” The song accompanies the military funeral arranged by Toby Ziegler for a homeless Korean War veteran whose death deeply affects him.

The episode is the tenth installment of The West Wing’s first season and originally aired on December 15, 1999, as the series’ Christmas episode. Its title comes from the Latin phrase “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” associated with the angels’ announcement of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:14.

The carol’s placement is deliberately emotional rather than merely festive. Its simple drumbeat and references to a humble visitor honoring a newborn king mirror the episode’s focus on an overlooked veteran receiving dignity and recognition. The funeral scene was filmed at Arlington National Cemetery with cooperation from the U.S. Department of Defense.

A common mix-up is confusing the episode title with the song performed. “In Excelsis Deo” is not the carol; it is a biblical phrase and episode title, while “The Little Drummer Boy” is the music heard during the burial.