The Twelve Days of Christmas
Ray Conniff Ray Conniff Singers & The Ray Conniff Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 gold 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 gold 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 gold 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 gold 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 gold 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 Christmas song that tells the story of someone receiving gifts over the course of twelve days from their true love. Each day, the gift-giver sends more items, starting with a partridge in a pear tree and ending with nine ladies dancing. The song has a notable structure, with each day building upon the previous day's gifts, making it fun and engaging for listeners to follow along.
The song is commonly associated with the celebration of Christmas and is considered a beloved classic. The repetition of the lyrics and melody adds to the festive nature of the song and makes it easy for people of all ages to sing along.
The lyrics of the song are interpreted as a code for Christian teachings. Each day of Christmas represents a different Christian belief, with the "true love" being interpreted as God and the gifts being interpreted as a symbol of the different teachings of the faith.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the initial day of Christmas, my significant other presented unto 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 second day of Christmas, my significant other sent me two turtle doves and another 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 third day of Christmas, my significant other gifted me three French hens, two turtle doves, and yet another 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 fourth day of Christmas, my significant other sent me four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and one more partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my significant other presented me with five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and another partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my significant other gifted me six geese laying eggs, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and one more 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 gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my significant other sent me seven swans a-swimming, six geese laying eggs, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and another 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 gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my significant other presented me with eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese laying eggs, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and one more 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 gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my significant other gifted me nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese laying eggs, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and another partridge in a pear tree.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GEORGE SHAW
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 !!!