The Twelve Days of Christmas
[Ensemble] Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My true love gave to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Two turtle doves...etc.
My true love gave to me:
Three french hens...etc.
On the forth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Four calling birds...etc.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Five golden rings...etc.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Six geese a-laying...etc.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Seven swans a-swimming...etc.
On the eight day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Eight maids a-milking...etc.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Nine ladies dancing...etc.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Ten lords a-leaping...etc.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
'Leven pipers piping...etc.
On the Twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Twelve drummers drumming...etc.
"The Twelve Days Of Christmas" is a classic Christmas song that tells a story of a person receiving gifts from their true love on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Each day, a new gift is added to the list, starting with a partridge in a pear tree on the first day and ending with twelve drummers drumming on the twelfth day. With each verse, the repetition of the previous day's gift showcases a cumulative effect that adds up to a total of 12 gifts.
The song's origins are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in England during the 16th century. Some historians speculate that the song may have had a religious meaning and was used as a memory aid by children to learn the tenets of Christian faith. However, others believe it may have been a drinking game or a way to teach counting and memory skills.
Despite its popularity, the song has faced criticism over the years for its repetitive nature and the lack of a clear message. However, the catchy tune and simple lyrics have made it a beloved holiday tradition that is often played and sung during the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.
My beloved has granted me a single red-legged partridge that was found when planted pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Two turtle doves...etc.
My cherished has bestowed upon me, as a gift, two turtle doves - a symbol of love and affection.
On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Three french hens...etc.
As a token of affection, my dear has presented me three hens of the French variety; well known for their sumptuous eggs.
On the forth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Four calling birds...etc.
As an expression of love, my love gave unto me four birds that call melodiously.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Five golden rings...etc.
As an emblem of devotion, my love presented me with five striking golden rings.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Six geese a-laying...etc.
As a pledge of true love, my love gave six geese that laid eggs, representing the new beginning or renewal of the life cycle.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Seven swans a-swimming...etc.
As a manifestation of care and affection, my sweetheart presented me with seven swans that swim gracefully.
On the eight day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Eight maids a-milking...etc.
As a sign of devotion, my lover offered me eight maids who were adept at milking cows and ready to work for the household.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Nine ladies dancing...etc.
As a way of declaring love, I was given nine women adept in the art of dance, ready to amuse and entertain.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Ten lords a-leaping...etc.
As an expression of affection, my true love presented me with ten lords who could leap gracefully and entertain the masses.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
'Leven pipers piping...etc.
As a token of appreciation, my love gave eleven pipers who piped tunes melodiously in harmonious unison.
On the Twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me:
Twelve drummers drumming...etc.
As a final gift of love, twelve expert drummers were presented to me, each with an exceptional skill that would keep me entertained.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kennedywilliams8735
A partridge in a pear tree
Two turtle doves
Three French hens
Four calling doves
Five golden rings
Six geese a laying
Seven swans a swimming
Eight maids a milking
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords a leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming
@Hi-ff3vg
0:16 Partridge in a pear tree
0:24 Two Turtle Doves
0:35 Three French Hens
0:47 Four Calling Birds
1:01 Five Golden Rings
1:20 Six Geese A-Laying
1:40 Seven Swams A-Swimming
2:02 Eight Maids A-Milking
2:26 Nine Ladies Dancing
2:50 Ten Lords A-Leaping
3:17 Eleven Pipers Piping
3:45 Twelve Drummers Drummuing
@henrymoss5272
So, all told, over the 12 Days of Christmas, the singer received:
12 partridges in a pear tree
22 turtle doves
30 French hens
36 calling birds
40 golden rings
42 geese a laying
42 swans a swimming
40 maids a milking
36 ladies dancing
30 lords a leaping
22 pipers piping
and 12 drummers drumming.
They must have been extra good that year!
@mothiethedoll
on the month of christmas my parents sent to me:
12 minutes of gaming.
11 chores need done.
10 corner dustings.
9 dishes need washing.
8 floor sweepings.
7 younger ones to look after.
6 hours of sleeping.
✨✨✨5 DAYS OFF SCHOOL ✨✨✨
4 times of law-mowing.
3 pages of homework.
2 walks a day,
and a week of ✨✨✨ WINTER HOLIDAY ✨✨✨
@scrungly
in total, they now have:
12 partridges in pear trees
22 turtle doves
30 french hens
36 calling birds
40 golden rings
42 geese a-laying
42 swans a-swimming
40 maids a-milking
36 ladies dancing
30 lords a-leaping
22 pipers piping
12 drummers drumming
@kurumi394
On the fourth year of Uni my school life led to me
Twelve page essays
Eleven final tests
Ten hour shifts
Nine interviews
Eight different bills
Seven tiring days
Six dollar wages
Five student loans
Four daily pills
Three roommates
Two probations
And a partridge in a pear tree!
@Livvy561
During the month I came back to school
My teacher sent to me
12 pages of homework
11 times tables
10 questions I don’t know
9 anxiety attacks
8 hours of doing it
7 thoughts of sleeping
6 trips to ✨the dump✨
5 hours of crying
4 pens (all the others ran out)
3 minutes to rest
2 hours left
1 minute till hometime 🤟🤟
@kennedywilliams8735
A partridge in a pear tree
Two turtle doves
Three French hens
Four calling doves
Five golden rings
Six geese a laying
Seven swans a swimming
Eight maids a milking
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords a leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming
@duzital
We know the bloody lyrics mate🦫
@prabhubalan5883
Thank you , helped a lot
@stevegiles4549
*Four colly birds
@pokey1853
"Four calling birds"@@stevegiles4549
@adeniyiaderibigbe6776
@@duzital 98
@Hi-ff3vg
0:16 Partridge in a pear tree
0:24 Two Turtle Doves
0:35 Three French Hens
0:47 Four Calling Birds
1:01 Five Golden Rings
1:20 Six Geese A-Laying
1:40 Seven Swams A-Swimming
2:02 Eight Maids A-Milking
2:26 Nine Ladies Dancing
2:50 Ten Lords A-Leaping
3:17 Eleven Pipers Piping
3:45 Twelve Drummers Drummuing
@kieranFN
👏 👏
@gbmlbb9699
Stop spoiling
@kieranFN
@@gbmlbb9699 have u never heard this song