The Twelve Days of Christmas
Kids - Children Lyrics


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On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
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
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
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 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent to me
TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING!
ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING!
TEN LORDS-A-LEAPING!
NINE LADIES DANCING!
EIGHT MAIDES-A-MILKING!
SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING!
SIX GEESE-A-LAYING!
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!
FOUR CALLING BIRDS!
THREE FRENCH HENS!




TWO TURTLE DOVES!
AND A PARTRAGE IN A PEAR TREE!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a popular traditional English Christmas carol that lists a series of extravagant gifts given by a true love over the twelve days of Christmas. The song begins on the first day of Christmas with the gift of a partridge in a pear tree. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as each verse adds a new gift while repeating all the previous ones, creating a cumulative effect.


As the days progress, the gifts become more elaborate and numerous, showcasing the increasing generosity of the true love. The repetition of the previous gifts in each verse helps to build excitement and a sense of abundance. The song's structure of adding a new gift with each verse and listing all the previous ones emphasizes the idea of continuous giving and accumulation.


The varying gifts, from birds to rings to dancing ladies and drummers, symbolize different forms of extravagance and celebration associated with the holiday season. The progression from simpler gifts like a partridge and a pear tree to grander gestures like lords-a-leaping and drummers drumming reflects the escalating festive spirit and joy of the season.


In essence, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" can be seen as a whimsical and festive representation of the joy of giving and receiving, as well as a playful exploration of the extravagance and abundance that can be associated with the holiday season. The song's repetitive structure and cumulative nature make it a fun and engaging piece that captures the spirit of Christmas traditions and the joy of celebrating with loved ones.


Line by Line Meaning

On the first day of Christmas
The beginning of a festive season filled with gifts


My true love sent to me
My beloved gifted to me


A partridge in a pear tree
A bird in a tree symbolizing love and prosperity


On the second day of Christmas
Continuing the trend of gift-giving


Two turtle doves
Two peaceful birds as a symbol of devotion


On the third day of Christmas
Another day, another gift from my love


Three French hens
Three domesticated birds, adding to the collection


On the fourth day of Christmas
More gifts keep coming from my true love


Four calling birds
Four singing birds bringing joy to the season


On the fifth day of Christmas
Halfway through the twelve days, more gifts arrive


Five golden rings
Valuable jewelry symbolizing lasting commitment


On the sixth day of Christmas
The sixth day brings more cheerful presents


Six geese-a-laying
Six laying geese represent fertility and abundance


On the seventh day of Christmas
As the days progress, more gifts are bestowed upon me


Seven swans-a-swimming
Graceful swans swimming symbolize elegance and beauty


On the eighth day of Christmas
Continuing the tradition of receiving gifts from my true love


Eight maids-a-milking
Eight working maids contributing to the festive celebration


On the ninth day of Christmas
The gifts keep coming, enhancing the holiday spirit


Nine ladies dancing
Nine lively ladies dancing to bring joy and entertainment


On the tenth day of Christmas
Approaching the end of the twelve days with more gifts


Ten Lords-a-leaping
Ten noble lords showcasing their agility and grace


On the eleventh day of Christmas
Penultimate day filled with music and merriment


Eleven Pipers Piping
Eleven musicians playing pipes to create festive tunes


On the twelfth day of Christmas
The grand finale of the twelve days with a culmination of gifts


TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING!
Twelve drummers adding rhythm and energy to the celebrations




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tim Mather, TRAD TRAD, TRAD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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