A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rataplan

by George Grove

RATAPLAN, like Rub-a-dub, appears to be an imitative word for the sound of the drum, as Tan-ta-ra is for that of the trumpet, and Tootle tootle for the flute.^[1] It is hardly necessary to mention its introduction by Donizetti in the 'Fille du Regiment,' or by Meyerbeer in the 'Huguenots'; and every Londoner is familiar with it in Sergeant Bouncer's part in Sullivan's 'Cox and Box,' especially in his first song, 'Yes, yes, in those merry days.' 'Rataplan, der kleine Tambour' is the title of a Singspiel by Pillwitz, which was produced at Bremen in 1831, and had a considerable run both in North and South Germany between that year and 1836.

[ G. ]

1. Other forms are Patapataplan, Palalalalan, Bumberumbumbum. See the Dictionnaire Encyclopédique of Sachs & Villette.