The Twelve Days of Christmas
Ray Conniff & The Singers Lyrics
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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
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 goldenen 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
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional English Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of a cumulative song a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. The song opens with the singer receiving a partridge in the pear tree on the first day of Christmas and is followed by the list of gifts given by the true love on each subsequent day, from two turtle doves to twelve drummers drumming. Each verse consists of a previous day's gift, followed by the new gift for the current day.
The lyrics of The Twelve Days of Christmas are full of symbolism and hidden meaning. The partridge in the pear tree represents Jesus Christ, and the two turtle doves symbolize the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The three french hens represent the three virtues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13: faith, hope, and charity. The four calling birds represent the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch. The six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The eight maids a-milking represent the eight beatitudes: poverty in spirit, meekness, mourning, hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and persecution for righteousness' sake. The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The ten lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful apostles. Finally, the twelve drummers drumming represent the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
On the very first day of Christmas, my significant other gave me a gift
A partridge in a pear tree
The gift was a partridge bird sitting on a pear tree branch
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me
The following day, my partner gave me another present
Two turtle doves, and
The second gift was a pair of turtle doves
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me
On the third holiday of the season, my true love surprised me again
Three french hens
This time, it was three French hens given as gifts
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
The fourth day of Christmas arrived and there was yet another gift
Four calling birds
The gift was four birds that make sounds or calls
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
The fifth day was here and so was a new surprise
Five goldenen rings
The gift was five golden rings
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Halfway through the Christmas season and my true love had something else to give
Six geese a-laying
Six geese were the next present, laying eggs perhaps
Five golden rings
Another five golden rings were given, just like before
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
On the seventh day of this celebratory occasion, another gift arrived
Seven swans a-swimming
The seventh gift was seven swans, capable of swimming through water with grace
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Eight days into Christmastime and there was still more to come
Eight maids a-milking
The eighth and latest present arrived in the form of eight maidens milking cows or similar animals
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
The ninth day of Christmas came and yet another gift was presented
Nine ladies dancing
Nine ladies arrived, most likely dancing in a festive manner
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Ten days into the holiday season and there was definitely something special for me
Ten lords a-leaping
Ten more people arrived as gifts, in the form of lords leaping for joy
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Another day arrived and I was given another present from my loved one
Eleven pipers piping
Eleven pipers arrived, performing beautiful music for Christmas
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Finally, the twelfth day was upon us, the end of this gift-giving tradition
Twelve drummers drumming
The last gift was twelve skilled drummers, capable of delivering a great performance
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
Merry Christmas 🎄
@pbscraze
Ray Conniff’s version will ALWAYS be simply the best
@user-sz3ix3gf8x
Yes and btw we're in the 12 days of Christmas 😃
@marlondavidmaduro2332
Masterpiece song, glorious voices and impecable orchestra
@francisnguyen6349
The 12 Days of Christmas 🎄 are outstanding Holidays songs 🎵.
@Glen-ft8ch
Gig Harbor WA is for me !!!
@jdrs4214
This song is never going to be defeated by any other versions, past and future. This one is just simply the Best!!!!
@jmhufana6843
No one can touch this version..
@Glen-ft8ch
Gig Harbor WA is for me. Patterson will pay !!!
@Glen-ft8ch
Gig Harbor WA is for me Coco !!!