2 minute read
“The 12 Days of Christmas ”
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me Apartridge in a pear tree
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On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, and Apartridge in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me Three french hens Two turtle doves, and Apartridge 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 Apartridge 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 Apartridge 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 Apartridge 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 Apartridge 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 Apartridge 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 Apartridge in a pear tree
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 10 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 Apartridge in a pear tree On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 11 pipers piping 10 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 Apartridge in a pear tree
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me 12 drummers drumming 11 pipers piping 10 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 Apartridge in a pear tree
One of the most instantly recognizable holiday songs also boasts one of the most unique histories of any Christmas carol. The exact origins and author of “The 12 Days of Christmas” are unknown, but according to the Catholic News Agency, the song was written for Catholic children in England sometime after 1558. Between 1558 and 1829, Catholics in England were forbidden to practice their faith openly. The song “The 12 Days of Christmas” was used to teach Catholic children living under such restrictions about their faith. As a result, the song is filled with hidden meaning, even if modern celebrants largely sing it to express their festive moods and not necessarily their respective faiths.
Lyrics courtesy of Genius.com
