The Twelve Days of Christmas
Bing Crosby; The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 gold rings (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 gold rings (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 gold rings (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 gold rings (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 gold rings (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 gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
I sent eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
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 gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree
And a partridge in a pear tree
The lyrics of the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" depict the joyous celebration of the holiday season. The song is often associated with gift-giving and the anticipation of receiving something special. The song begins with the singer receiving a partridge in a pear tree on the first day of Christmas. Each day after that, the singer receives an additional gift from their true love, building up to a grand finale of twelve drummers drumming.
Throughout the song, the singer receives a variety of gifts, from birds to rings to dancing ladies and leaping lords. The lyrics are repetitive, with each verse building upon the previous one, so by the end of the song the singer has received a total of 364 gifts from their true love over the twelve days of Christmas. The song plays on the idea of extravagant gift-giving during the holiday season and the joy and excitement that comes with it.
Overall, the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is a festive and playful song that captures the spirit of the holidays, emphasizing the joy of giving and receiving gifts.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
a partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas
On the second day of Christmas
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas
On the third day of Christmas
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the fourth day of Christmas
On the fourth day of Christmas
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the fifth day of Christmas
On the fifth day of Christmas
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the sixth day of Christmas
On the sixth day of Christmas
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the seventh day of Christmas
On the seventh day of Christmas
Seven swans a-swimming
seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the eighth day of Christmas
On the eighth day of Christmas
Eight maids a-milking
eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the ninth day of Christmas
On the ninth day of Christmas
Nine ladies dancing
nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the tenth day of Christmas
On the tenth day of Christmas
Ten lords a-leaping
ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas
On the eleventh day of Christmas
I sent eleven pipers piping
eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
On the twelfth day of Christmas
On the twelfth day of Christmas
Twelve drummers drumming
twelve drummers drumming
Eleven pipers piping
eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
five golden rings
Four calling birds
four calling birds
Three French hens
three French hens
Two turtle doves
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
And a partridge in a pear tree
and a partridge in a pear tree
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidtrepanier
On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 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
@Lucas-dg5wc
[Verse 1]
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 2]
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
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
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
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
[Verse 7]
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
[Verse 8]
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
[Verse 9]
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
[Verse 10]
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
[Verse 11]
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
[Verse 12]
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
@patrickstocks3986
On the 1st day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
A partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 2nd day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 3rd day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 4th of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 5th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent you me
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 6th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 7th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 8th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 9th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💓 sent you me
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 10th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
10 lords a-leaping
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 11th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💓 sent to me
I sent 11 pipers piping
10 lords a-leaping
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge 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
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
@motoe948
[Verse 1]
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 2]
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
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
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
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
[Verse 7]
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
[Verse 8]
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
[Verse 9]
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
[Verse 10]
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
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 11]
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
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 12]
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
A partridge in a pear tree
@Janskill
I love this version.
@chriscarr7397
I do too!!!
@imoutyoufatbitchh
me too!
@elvarobles6454
🤹♀️🤹♀️🤹♀️🤹♀️🤹♀️
@deackpledge1839
This is by far the best version
@chriscarr7397
Yes, I agree 👍
@DoroSusi
Mr. Crosby was a wonderful singer with a beautiful warm voice! :) <3
@TCDL11
I love the bit where one of the Andrews Sisters sings 'to me' in a descending note.
Also Bing interrupting with 'Fi-ve Golden Rings" and doing so with conviction.
An early example of freestyling vocal gymnastics methinks. Lol 😂!!!
@moonbustin
The best 12 days of Christmas version for me. Nostalgic
@alisonwoods1058
Love this song! Brings back a lot of memories!