She possessed a voice of extraordinary agility, accurate intonation, a splendid trill and a tremendous upper register, albeit she was criticised for her nasality and consequent imprecise diction.
Her friend Luciano Pavarotti dubber her "the voice of the century", and Montserrat Caballé described her voice as "being like heaven".
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Joan Sutherland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 pipers pipin'
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 pipers pipin'
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 Lords a leapin'
Ten ladies dancin'
Nine pipers pipin'
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 Lords a leapin'
Ten ladies dancin'
Nine pipers pipin'
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!
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional English Christmas song. It is believed to have originated in the 18th century and was used as a memory game for children. The song tells the story of a person's true love giving them gifts on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Each day, a new gift is added to the list and the previous gifts are repeated. By the twelfth day, the person has received a total of 12 different gifts.
The song begins with the gift of a partridge in a pear tree, followed by two turtle doves on the second day, and three French hens on the third day. On the fourth day, the gift is four calling birds, on the fifth day it is five golden rings, and on the sixth day, it is six geese a-laying. The gifts continue to accumulate each day until the final gift on the twelfth day, which is twelve drummers drumming.
The song is often interpreted as a religious song with hidden messages. For example, some have interpreted the partridge in a pear tree as a symbol of Jesus Christ, while the twelve drummers drumming represent the twelve apostles. Others see it as a way to teach basic math skills to children. Regardless of its interpretation, the song has become a beloved Christmas classic that is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas
At the start of the twelve-day season of gift-giving
My true love gave to me
My beloved partner bestowed upon me a present
A partridge in a pear tree!
A live bird as well as a fruit tree for it to rest in
Two turtle doves
Two birds symbolizing love, peace, and fidelity
Three French hens
Three birds to produce eggs, likely from France
Four calling birds
Four songbirds capable of creating melodious sounds
Five golden rings!
Five circular bands made of gold
Six geese a layin'
Six birds producing eggs
Seven swans a swimmin'
Seven large waterfowl gliding on water with grace
Eight maids a milkin'
Eight women in charge of milking cows
Nine pipers pipin'
Nine musicians using wind instruments
Ten ladies dancin'
Ten women performing choreographed movements
Eleven Lords a leapin'
Eleven nobleman engaging in a joyful jump
Twelve drummers drummin'
Twelve percussionists playing drums with enthusiasm
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BARBARA BAZALDUA, GERALDINE GOUZERH, BEN HOPPE, JAMES LATHAM, SHARI OKAMOTO, RICHARD TEAGUE, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theslof1
Absolutely fabulous! She polishes off this endless narration in three gorgeous minutes - half what it takes normal singers- and adds the high note cherry on top of the tree.
@hrh4961
Also called "The Money Note."
@marilynrowland5197
I love this rendition: it simply sparkles and floats into the stratosphere! I bought the album when it was released, and still have it. The problem is that I no longer have a working record player. Consequently, I have turned to YouTube. Thank you for making it possible to hear this glorious opera singer at the peak of her vocal powers! It is breath-takingly beautiful!
@jameshknight8804
My favorite version of this song! Quick, exuberant and delightful ... a tour - de - force!
@cjpmmd
A classic in every respect.
@helenespierman151
Ho ho ho!! This is adorable!
@jsn9573
Actually, this is conducted by Richard Bonynge... It is Trad. arranged by Douglas Gamley and feature the Ambrosian Singers and the New Philharmonia Orchestra... I know, as I played the LP for decades: Joan Sutherland - The Joy of Christmas... Look it up and fix your mixed-up info... Please...
@erindewan6758
Oh this is a wonderful version... But I don't like how "5 gold rings" wasn't sung distinctly in every verse.
Isn't it supposed to be the standout in every line?!
@unabarry5496
It's an arrangement and that's what the composer wrote, not the singer's or her fault! Far more interesting than the way it's usually sung!