The Twelve Days of Christmas
Song lyrics to "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (The 12 Days of Christmas) start with Christmas Day and finish with the eve of Epiphany on 5th January. The Twelve Days of Christmas dates back to English origins in the sixteenth century although the music is reputed to be French. The first publication date for The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas) was the children’s book ‘Mirth Without Mischief’ in 1780. Each of the The 12 Days of Christmas has a religious significance and are symbolized following the lyrics of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)
- True Love
- refers to God
- 1 Partridge in a pear tree
- Jesus Christ
- 2 Turtle Doves
- the Old and New Testaments
- 3 French Hens
- The Trinity—God the Father, Jesus Christ God the Song, and God the Holy Spirit—also Faith, Hope and Charity, the virtues
- 4 Colly Birds
- the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- 5 Golden Rings
- the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace and God’s mercy
- 6 Geese A-laying
- the six days of creation
- 7 Swans A-swimming
- the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
- 8 Maids A-milking
- the eight beatitudes
- 9 Ladies Dancing
- the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
- 10 Lords A-leaping
- the Ten Commandments
- 11 Pipers Piping
- the eleven faithful apostles
- 12 Drummers Drumming
- the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
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