12 Days of Christmas
Jason Manns Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 oves
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 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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

Overall Meaning

"12 Days of Christmas" is a popular Christmas song that recounts the gifts given on each of the 12 days of Christmas by a true love. The song starts with the first day of Christmas where the true love gives a partridge in a pear tree and continues with each day adding a new gift while repeating all the previous gifts. On the second day, the gift is two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree, and on the third day, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.


The song goes on to describe the gifts for the rest of the 12 days, which include four calling birds, five golden rings, six geese a-laying, seven swans a-swimming, eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords a-leaping, eleven pipers piping, and twelve drummers drumming. The song is a fun and whimsical way to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, and the repetition of the previous gifts makes it easy to sing along to.


Overall, "12 Days of Christmas" is a delightful and festive song that celebrates the joy of giving during the holiday season. It's a popular tune that many people know by heart, and it's a great way to get into the holiday spirit!


Line by Line Meaning

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave me a partridge in a pear tree.


On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave me two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.


On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave me three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.


On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave 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 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 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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.




Writer(s): Traditional, Steven James Brown, Frederic Austin

Contributed by Alexis B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Brandon Morgan-Davies


on Without You

hey just though you should know that you missed a line between "People say that I should just let you go" and "And I thought that you should know" where it says "but i won't cause i can't"

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