History and
Origin of 12 Days of Christmas Song
Why the Twelve Days of Christmas
Was Written
I know you've heard (and most
likely sang) the fun and familiar tune; "The Twelve
Days of Christmas" but do you know why it was
originally written?
Don't fret, I just discovered
this for myself recently and was amazed that it had
to do with Christian persecution.
The Rest of the
Story
In an ancient period of time,
between 1558 to 1829, it was actually against the
law to be a Catholic.
Under a new law they could
not outwardly practice their faith, nor could they
do so privately. People caught with anything
written for the faith could face punishment by
imprisonment, decapitation or hanging along with
other forms.
The Song as a Teaching
Tool
The writing of the Twelve
Days of Christmas was meant to be a catechism song
so that young Catholics could learn the meaning of
their faith. In other words, the 12 Days of
Christmas song has a hidden meaning. So, without
further discussion, here are the lyrics and true
meaning:
"My true love gave to
me.."
I've always thought the song
was alluding to a lover - maybe a fiancee. The
"true love" mentioned here is God and the love He
has for us. The "me" who is receiving all the 12
gifts are the Christians.
1st Day = A Partridge
in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ
2 Turtle Doves = Old
and New Testament of the Bible
3 French Hens = Faith,
Hope and Charity, the Theological
Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the
Four Gospels and / or the Four Evangelists -
Matthew,
Mark,
Luke
and John
5 Golden Rings = The
"Torah" or the first Five Books of the Old
Testament - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy:
6 Geese A laying = God
created the world in six days
7 Swans A swimming =
seven spiritual gifts given by God
8 Maids A milking =
eight
beatitudes from the
"Sermon on the Mount" given by Jesus
9 Ladies Dancing =
nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A leaping =
ten
commandments
11 Pipers Piping =
eleven faithful
disciples
12 Drummers Drumming =
twelve points of the Apostle's Creed
And now you know the rest of
the story. I believe from now on when I sing or
even hear the Twelve Days of Christmas played I
will listen with a new awareness and contemplate
what Christmas is all about - and what Christ did
for me - and you.
The Twelve Days of
Christmas Lyrics:
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!
Merry
Christmas and Happy New
Year!
Other Christmas
Stories
Christmas
is Forever - Remembering a
Grandmother
Happy
Birthday Jesus - A Christmas
Reflection
The
Christmas Star
Looking
For Jesus
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