The Twelve Days of Christmas
Harry Belafonte Lyrics


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On the first day of Christmas, 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 and a partridge in a pear tree

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three French hens
Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave 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 gave 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 gave to me
Six geese a-layin', 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 gave to me
Seven swans a-swimmin', six geese a-layin', 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 gave to me
Eight maids a-milkin', seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin', 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 gave to me
Nine lords a-leapin', eight maids a-milkin', seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin', 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 gave to me
Ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin', eight maids a-milkin'
Seven swans a-swimmin', six geese a-layin', 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 gave to me
Eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin'
Eight maids a-milkin', seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin', 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 gave to me
Twelve drummers drummin', eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin'
Nine lords a-leapin', eight maids milkin', seven swans a-swimmin'




Six geese a-layin' five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens
Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" are a cumulative verse that tells the story of what the singer's true love gives them on each of the twelve days of Christmas. For each day, the singer lists the items they were given on the previous days, making the list grow progressively longer. The opening lines "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me / A partridge in a pear tree" introduce the pattern of the song.


The significance of the gifts has been debated over the years, and some have speculated that they have hidden meanings related to Christianity. For example, a partridge in a pear tree is said to represent Jesus Christ, and the two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments. The three French hens could represent the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. The four calling birds could represent the four Gospels, and the five golden rings may represent the first five books of the Old Testament. There are many other interpretations of the meaning behind each gift, but regardless of their significance, the song remains a beloved holiday tradition that is sung by people all over the world.


Line by Line Meaning

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me A partridge in a pear tree
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gifted me with a lovely symbol of love, a beautiful bird resting on a fruit-filled tree


On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave me two gentle birds, in addition to the first day's present of a partridge nestled amid pear branches


On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three French hens Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gifted me three valuable fowl, together with the two turtle doves from the previous day and the first day's partridge perched on the pear tree


On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gifted me with four melodious birds, along with the three hens, two doves, and the first day's partridge among the pear leaves


On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Five golden rings, 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 gifted me with five things of great value, sparkling rings of gold, and four calling birds, three hens, two doves, and the initial day's present


On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Six geese a-layin', 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 gifted me the comforting gift of six layers of eggs, five golden rings, four melody creating birds, three fowl from France, two doves and a partridge nestled in a pear tree.


On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Seven swans a-swimmin', six geese a-layin', 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 gifted me seven beautiful swimming swans, six layers of egg-laying geese, five gold rings, four harmonious birds, three French fowl, two lovely doves, and a partridge resting comfortably among a pear tree.


On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eight maids a-milkin', seven swans a-swimmin' Six geese a-layin', 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 gifted me eight dutiful maids milking, seven beautiful swimming swans, six layers of egg-laying geese, five gold rings, four harmonious birds, three valuable fowl, two turtle doves and a comfortable partridge perched on the pear tree


On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Nine lords a-leapin', eight maids a-milkin', seven swans a-swimmin' Six geese a-layin', 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 presented me nine exalted lords joyously leaping, eight dutiful maids milking, seven beautiful swimming swans, six layers of egg-laying geese, five gold rings, four melodious birds, three valuable fowl, two dear turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree that made me happy.


On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin', eight maids a-milkin' Seven swans a-swimmin', six geese a-layin', 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 gifted me with ten ladies dancing cheerfully, nine leaping lords, eight dutiful milking maids, seven graceful swimming swans, six layers of egg-laying geese, five prized and valuable rings, four harmony creating birds, three fowl from France, two gentle doves, and a partridge that enjoyed peace in the lush green pear tree.


On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin' Eight maids a-milkin', seven swans a-swimmin', six geese a-layin' 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 gifted me with eleven talented and melodious pipers, ten joyful and graceful women dancing merrily, nine lords jumping vividly, eight dutiful milking maids, seven beautiful swimming swans, six layers of egg-laying geese, five treasure-like rings of gold, four melodious birds, three valuable French fowl, two gentle doves, and a partridge nesting in a pear tree


On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Twelve drummers drummin', eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin' Nine lords a-leapin', eight maids milkin', seven swans a-swimmin' Six geese a-layin' 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 delighted me with twelve drummers drumming, eleven talented and melodious pipers, ten joyful and graceful women dancing merrily, nine jumping vivid lords, eight dutiful milking maids, seven beautiful swimming swans, six layers of egg-laying geese, five prized and valuable rings of gold, four harmony creating birds, three valuable French fowl, two gentle doves, and a partridge resting on the lush green pear tree, my true love's gifts echo in my heart forever.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Traditional

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Frederique Roberge


on Angelina

What a joy to discover this site ..and relive that show , something so needed to end the day with a smile !

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