The Twelve Days of Christmas
Cristy Lane & Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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, 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, 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
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, 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 drummers drumming
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Ten pipers piping
Nine drummers drumming, ten pipers piping
Drumming, piping, drumming, piping
Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
Five gold 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 ladies dancing, ten pipers piping, nine drummers drumming
Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
Five gold 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 Lords a leaping, eleven ladies dancing, ten pipers piping
Nine, drummers drumming, eight maids a milking
Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
And five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree, and a partridge in a pear tree
The lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" describe a series of gifts that the singer's true love sends to them over the course of twelve days, starting on Christmas Day. Each day, an additional gift is added, resulting in a cumulative list of presents. The song is structured in a repetitive manner, with each new day listing all the gifts from the previous days before introducing the new gift for that day.
The song begins with the gift of a partridge in a pear tree on the first day of Christmas. The partridge symbolizes happiness and protection, while the pear tree represents the fruitful nature of the gift. This gift is seemingly simple and humble but carries a symbolic meaning of joy and abundance.
On the second day, the singer receives two turtle doves, representing love and fidelity, in addition to the partridge and the pear tree. The accumulation of the gifts emphasizes the increasing generosity of the true love.
As the days progress, the singer continues to receive an escalating number of gifts. These gifts include three French hens (symbolizing faith, hope, and love), four calling birds (often interpreted as songbirds or canary birds), five gold rings (representing wealth and luxury), six geese a laying (symbolizing productivity and fertility), seven swans a swimming (known for their grace and elegance), eight maids a milking (representing hard work and domesticity), nine drummers drumming, ten pipers piping, eleven ladies dancing, and twelve Lords a leaping.
The repetition of the cumulative list throughout the song serves to reinforce the growing opulence of the gifts received, highlighting the affection and generosity of the true love. Ultimately, the lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" convey a sense of abundance, love, and celebration during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
At the beginning of our relationship during the Christmas season, my true love gave me a special gift
A partridge in a pear tree
A symbol of love and protection, my true love bestowed upon me a beautiful bird flanked by a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Continuing to shower me with affection and presents, my true love sent me another gift
Two turtle doves
Representing peace and loyalty, my true love gifted me a pair of gentle birds
And a partridge in a pear tree
In addition to the turtle doves, the original symbol of love and protection continued to accompany me
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me
The thoughtful gestures from my true love continued to unfold as the days passed
Three French hens, two turtle doves
In addition to the previous gifts, my true love bestowed upon me three French hens, symbolizing fertility and abundance
And a partridge in a pear tree
Amidst the growing collection of presents, the partridge and its protective essence remained a constant presence
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
As time went on, my true love's displays of affection multiplied, showing their devotion and care
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
Adding to the already diverse array of gifts, my true love included four melodious calling birds, enriching the festive atmosphere
And a partridge in a pear tree
Among the growing collection of presents, the partridge remained a beloved symbol of love and protection
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Surprising me with yet another day of heartfelt surprises, my true love continued to make each day special
Five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
In an extravagant display of affection, my true love gifted me five dazzling gold rings, joining the previous presents in creating an atmosphere of joy and delight
And a partridge in a pear tree
Amidst the opulence, the partridge in its loving essence symbolized the everlasting bond we shared
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
With each passing day, my true love's commitment and thoughtfulness continued to blossom
Six geese a laying, five gold rings, four calling birds
Adding to the growing collection of presents, my true love sent me six geese, each laying an egg, symbolizing growth and abundance in our relationship
Three French hens, two turtle doves
Alongside the geese, the gifts from the previous days remained, further strengthening the joyful atmosphere
And a partridge in a pear tree
The partridge, a constant companion, brought a sense of comfort and protection to our Christmas celebration
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me
As the days went by, my true love's efforts to make this Christmas unforgettable only intensified
Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, five gold rings
The grandiosity of the presents expanded with the arrival of seven graceful swans, swimming elegantly, complementing the geese and gold rings from before
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
The company of the singing birds, French hens, and turtle doves, continued to fill our surroundings with enchanting melodies
And a partridge in a pear tree
In the midst of this splendid array of gifts, the partridge remained a symbol of love and devotion
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
As the days went on, my true love's dedication to making this holiday season unforgettable only grew stronger
Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
Joining the previous gifts, eight maids engaging in the activity of milking cows graced our celebration, accompanied by the swans and geese
Five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
Amidst the lively atmosphere, the golden rings, singing birds, French hens, and turtle doves enhanced the festive spirit
And a partridge in a pear tree
Throughout these moments of joy and cheer, the partridge's presence remained a cherished and protective symbol
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
As the days flew by, my true love's intentions of making this Christmas extraordinary became more evident
Nine drummers drumming
To further enliven the celebration, my true love sent nine skillful drummers, creating a rhythmic and joyous atmosphere
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
As the countdown to Christmas continued, my true love's dedication to making this holiday unforgettable became ever more apparent
Ten pipers piping
Joining the festivities, ten talented pipers played melodious tunes, adding to the delightful ambience created by the previous gifts
Nine drummers drumming, ten pipers piping
The sounds of the drummers and pipers harmonized, filling the air with a symphony of merriment and celebration
Drumming, piping, drumming, piping
The rhythmic beats of the drums and the enchanting melodies of the pipes echoed through the atmosphere, bringing joy and excitement to all
Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
Alongside the musical performances, the maids milking, swans gracefully swimming, and geese actively laying added to the vibrancy of the occasion
Five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
Amidst this lively symphony, the golden rings, singing birds, French hens, and turtle doves continued to enhance the festive atmosphere
And a partridge in a pear tree
In the midst of all the melodies and activities, the partridge's presence symbolized the unwavering love and protection within our relationship
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me
With each passing day, my true love's dedication to creating an unforgettable holiday season intensified
Eleven ladies dancing, ten pipers piping, nine drummers drumming
To make this day extra special, my true love arranged for eleven graceful ladies to dance, accompanied by the enchanting melodies of the pipers and the rhythmic beats of the drummers
Eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
The activities of the maids milking, swans swimming, and geese laying eggs continued to add liveliness to the festivities
Five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
Enriching the jubilant atmosphere were the presence of the golden rings, singing birds, French hens, and turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree
Amongst all the joy, the partridge and its protective symbolism joined us, holding our love securely amidst the festivities
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
As the final day of the Christmas celebration approached, my true love ensured that it would be the most memorable
Twelve Lords a leaping, eleven ladies dancing, ten pipers piping
Marking the grand finale were twelve lords energetically leaping, accompanied by the elegant dancing of the ladies and the enchanting melodies of the pipers
Nine drummers drumming, eight maids a milking
Joining the energetic spectacle were nine skillful drummers creating a rhythmic beat and eight maids diligently engaged in milking cows
Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying
The graceful swimming of seven swans and the productive laying of eggs by six geese added to the festive spectacle of this special day
And five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
Amidst the grandeur, the five golden rings, singing birds, French hens, and turtle doves contributed to the magnificence and splendor of this jubilant occasion
And a partridge in a pear tree, and a partridge in a pear tree
In the midst of all the joy and wonder, the partridge in its loving and protective nature continued to symbolize the eternal love and devotion shared between us, echoing the sentiments of the entire song
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind