The Twelve Days of Christmas
Choir of Clare College Cambridge Lyrics
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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!
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a traditional Christmas carol that tells the story of a person receiving gifts from their true love over the course of twelve days. Each verse of the song adds a new gift, creating a cumulative effect as the days progress.
The song starts with the line "On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me / A partridge in a pear tree." This represents the gift received on the first day, which is a partridge in a pear tree. Each subsequent verse builds upon the previous day's gift, adding more items to the list. For example, on the second day, the gift is "two turtle doves," in addition to the partridge and pear tree.
As the days go on, the gifts become more extravagant and opulent. The fifth day introduces "five golden rings," which is one of the most well-known parts of the song. The number of gifts also steadily increases, with more birds, maids, lords, and performers added to the list.
The song culminates on the twelfth day with a grand finale of twelve drummers drumming. By this point, the individual has received twelve different types of gifts, symbolized by each day of the twelve days of Christmas.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" illustrate the joy and celebration of receiving gifts during the Christmas season. It is a lively and repetitive song that has become a beloved holiday tradition for many people.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Traditional
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@waltermclauren4746
Kudos to Graham Ross for this arrangement and to the choir for a stellar perfromance. (spelling misteaks left on porpoise)