The Twelve Days of Christmas

There are a lot of rumors about "The Twelve Days of Christmas", an old French song that first showed in English written form in the children's book "Mirth Without Mischief" in A.D. 1780. One rumor is that it was a catechism in code, used by Catholics to pass the Faith down to their children during the Cromwell-led persecutions in England and Ireland. The supposed symbolism goes like this: Partridge in a Pear Tree the 1 Christ 2 Turtle Doves the 2 Testaments, Old and New 3 French Hens the 3 Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity 4 Colly Birds the 4 Gospels and the 4 Evangelists 5 Golden Rings the first 5 Books of the Old Testament (Torah) 6 Geese A-laying the 6 days of Creation 7 Swans A-swimming the 7 Sacraments, the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost 8 Maids A-milking the 8 Beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping the 10 Commandments 11 Pipers Piping the 11 faithful Apostles 12 Drummers Drumming the 12 points of doctrine in the Creed   This isn't accurate, though, and is a conflation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with another catechism song that gave religious symbolism to the 12 days of Christmas -- but wasn't in a "secret code" at all (in other words, an honest mistake). Other mistakes have crept in over the years. For ex., instead of saying "colly birds," which means blackbirds (colly means "coal dust"), most people say "calling birds." The "5 gold rings" (not "golden") refer not to 5 rings made of gold, but to 5 ring-necked pheasants! As you can see, the first 7 gifts all turn out to be some sort of bird. At any rate, this song is a Twelfthnight song sung by children as a "memory and forfeits" game. Whoever first forgets a line is out. Here is a midi file to hear the melody, and below are the lyrics: The 12 Days of Christmas The first day of Christmas My true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree The second day of Christmas My true love sent to me Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. The third day of Christmas My true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. The fourth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. The fifth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree The sixth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree The seventh day of Christmas My true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree The eighth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly 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 drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. The tenth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Ten pipers piping, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. The eleventh day of Christmas My true love sent to me Eleven ladies dancing, Ten pipers piping, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. The twelfth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Twelve lords a-leaping, Eleven ladies dancing, Ten pipers piping, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree.

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