The Twelve Days of Christmas
Frank Sinatra/Frank Sinatra Jr./Jimmy Joyce Singers & Orchestra/Nancy Sinat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twelve dozen kisses, Eleven jars of jelly, Ten silken hankies,
Nine games of scrabble, Eight pairs of cufflinks, Seven books of fiction,
Six golden lighters, Five ivory combs,
Four mission lights, Three golf clubs, Two silken scarfs,
And a most lovely lavender tie.
The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", originally a traditional English Christmas carol, has been recorded and popularized by many artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra and his family members. The song follows the concept of gift-giving during the twelve days of Christmas, specifically between Christmas Day and the Epiphany on January 6th. In this particular version of the song, the singer reminisces about the gifts they gave their father throughout the twelve days of Christmas.
On the first day of Christmas, the singer and their children gave their father twelve dozen kisses, which suggests a warm and affectionate relationship between father and children. The following days saw gifts that included jars of jelly, silken hankies, games of scrabble, pairs of cufflinks, books of fiction, golden lighters, ivory combs, mission lights, golf clubs, silken scarfs, and a lavender tie. These gifts are not necessarily extravagant or expensive, but they carry sentimental value and reflect the father's interests and personality.
Overall, the song celebrates the joy of gift-giving and the importance of cherishing relationships, especially with loved ones. The gifts may seem simple, but they are meaningful because they were given with love and thoughtfulness.
Line by Line Meaning
On the (first) day of Christmas, we gave our loving dad (my children gave to me)
On the first day of Christmas, my children gave to me a gift to show their love.
Twelve dozen kisses
Twelve dozen kisses symbolize an abundance of love and affection.
Eleven jars of jelly
Eleven jars of jelly are gifts for practical use and enjoyment.
Ten silken hankies
Ten silken hankies are luxurious items that add elegance to everyday life.
Nine games of scrabble
Nine games of scrabble show appreciation for the enjoyment of wordplay and board games.
Eight pairs of cufflinks
Eight pairs of cufflinks are stylish and functional accessories that enhance formal attire.
Seven books of fiction
Seven books of fiction provide entertainment, education, and imagination.
Six golden lighters
Six golden lighters symbolize luxury, style, and convenience for smokers.
Five ivory combs
Five ivory combs are grooming tools for enhancing and maintaining personal appearance.
Four mission lights
Four mission lights provide illumination and add warmth and ambiance to any room.
Three golf clubs
Three golf clubs are a nod to the love of golf and leisure activities.
Two silken scarfs
Two silken scarfs are elegant and fashionable accessories used to complement any outfit.
And a most lovely lavender tie.
A most lovely lavender tie is a sophisticated and stylish accessory that adds color and elegance to outfits.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVEN JAMES BROWN, FREDERIC AUSTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind