12 Days of Christmas
Ray Conniff and 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 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
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional Christmas carol that tells the story of gifts given over the twelve days between Christmas and the Epiphany. The song begins with the singer receiving a partridge in a pear tree from their true love on the first day of Christmas, with each subsequent verse adding a new gift and repeating all the previous ones. By the twelfth day, the singer has received a grand total of twelve gifts.
The gifts themselves have religious and historical significance. The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus Christ, while the two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The three French hens represent the Three Wise Men, and the four calling birds are the four Gospels. The five golden rings stand for the first five books of the Old Testament, while the six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation. The seven swans a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes. The nine ladies dancing are the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. Finally, the eleven pipers piping are the eleven faithful Apostles, and the twelve drummers drumming symbolize the core beliefs of the Christian faith.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of the most well-known and beloved Christmas carols, but it is also a complex and intricate one. The gift symbolism and repetition make it a challenging song to sing and remember. However, its enduring popularity has led to countless adaptations and covers over the years, making it a perennial favorite of holiday music lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas
The start of a gift-giving ritual
My true love sent to me
The sender is someone who deeply cares for the recipient
A partridge in a pear tree
A thoughtful and somewhat unique gift, symbolizing love and new beginnings
On the second day of Christmas
Continuation of the gift-giving
Two turtle doves
A pair of birds, representing devotion and love
And a partridge in a pear tree
Reinforcement of the previous day's gift, emphasizing the importance of love and renewal
On the third day of Christmas
More gifts to celebrate the Christmas season
Three French hens
Three birds, likely a nod to the Holy Trinity, and representing faith, hope, and love
Two turtle doves
A reminder of the second day's gift and the importance of love
And a partridge in a pear tree
A symbol of new beginnings and a continuation of the first two days' theme
On the fourth day of Christmas
More gifts to express love and joy
Four calling birds
Four songbirds, representing the four gospels of the New Testament
Three French hens
A continuation of the previous day's theme, symbolizing faith, hope, and love
Two turtle doves
A reminder of the importance of love
And a partridge in a pear tree
A fitting conclusion to the first four days, symbolizing love and new beginnings
On the fifth day of Christmas
Halfway through the gift-giving ritual
Five golden rings
Five rings, likely a representation of the first five books of the Old Testament, symbolizing God's love and faithfulness
Four calling birds
A continuation of the idea that the story of Christmas is rooted in the gospel
Three French hens
A symbol of the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Two turtle doves
Reinforcement of the idea that love is at the heart of this Christmas story
And a partridge in a pear tree
An expression of new beginnings and hope
On the sixth day of Christmas
Continuation of the gift-giving
Six geese a-laying
Six geese laying eggs, symbolizing creation and birth
Five golden rings
A continuation of the previous day's theme of God's love and faithfulness
Four calling birds
A nod to the importance of Scripture in the Christmas story
Three French hens
A reiteration of faith, hope, and love as central to the holiday season
Two turtle doves
An affirmation of love as the ultimate gift
And a partridge in a pear tree
A continuation of the theme of new beginnings and hope
On the seventh day of Christmas
Another day of gift-giving
Seven swans a-swimming
Seven majestic birds, symbolizing grace and purity
Six geese a-laying
A continuation of the theme of creation and birth
Five golden rings
A reminder of God's faithfulness and love
Four calling birds
A reminder of the importance of Scripture in the Christmas story
Three French hens
A nod to the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Two turtle doves
A reaffirmation of the importance of love
And a partridge in a pear tree
A final reminder of new beginnings and hope
On the eighth day of Christmas
Yet more gifts to celebrate the season
Eight maids a-milking
Eight maids, likely a reference to the Beatitudes, which outline virtues that are central to the Christian faith
Seven swans a-swimming
A continuation of the theme of grace and purity
Six geese a-laying
A symbol of the new life that is born at Christmas
Five golden rings
A reminder of God's love and faithfulness
Four calling birds
A reminder of the gospel and the role it plays in the Christmas story
Three French hens
A symbol of faith, hope, and love
Two turtle doves
A reminder of the importance of love in our lives
And a partridge in a pear tree
A final touch of hope and new beginnings
On the ninth day of Christmas
The gift-giving continues
Nine ladies dancing
Nine women dancing, symbolizing joy and celebration
Eight maids a-milking
A continuation of the previous day's theme of virtues central to the Christian faith
Seven swans a-swimming
A reiteration of the theme of grace and purity
Six geese a-laying
A symbol of new life and creation
Five golden rings
A reminder of God's love and faithfulness
Four calling birds
A reminder of the importance of the gospel in the Christmas story
Three French hens
A symbol of faith, hope, and love
Two turtle doves
A reminder of the importance of love in our lives
And a partridge in a pear tree
A final touch of hope and new beginnings
Lyrics © Public Domain
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
- Beeman
At least someone celebrates all twelve days. Most people just celebrate one, and ignore the other eleven.
Although these sound like lousy gifts. I can imagine a kid singing this, and changing the lyrics.
On the first day of Christmas, my grandma (or some other relative) gave to me some pants that don't even fit me (And every verse would be a different relative.)
Also, imagine what would happen if it took a whole year for the three wise men to come.
On the 365th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...
A dude with a Betsy Ross Flag
So in total this "true love" sent
12 partridges in pear trees
22 turtle doves
30 French hens
36 calling birds
40 gold rings
42 geese
42 swans
40 maids
36 dancing ladies
30 lords
22 pipers
12 drummers
If this relationship ain't unhealthy then I don't know WHAT i- looks at the relationship between Europe and the muslim "refugees" Oh... nevermind
- Beeman
On the 12th day of Christmas I counted out my gifts.
I got (And it would have to be the other way around.)
12 drummers drumming
22 pipers piping
36 ladies dancing
40 maids a-milking
42 swans a-swimming
42 geese a-laying
40 golden rings
36 calling birds
30 french hens
22 turtle doves, and
12 partridges in 12 pear trees
Also at least someone celebrates all twelve days. Most people just celebrate one, and ignore the other eleven.
Although these sound like lousy gifts. I can imagine a kid singing this, and changing the lyrics.
On the first day of Christmas, my grandma (or some other relative) gave to me some pants that don't even fit me (And every verse would be a different relative.)
shannon diaram
The gold standard. A terrific version of this song.
Grafton Morgan Jessica
Brings back memories of opening Christmas presents, being with family members many ofwhom have passed away, thinking of great times just being with family. There is nothing like the magic of old Christmas songs, like many have said back in simpler times. When people would visit, eat, and no such things as cell phones, ipads, just happy together.
J Sanvictores
GTV Testcard With Music Barangay LS 97.1
(DWLS-FM)
Kee Zee
Grafton Morgan Jessica So feminine,so sexy. Merry Christmas Baby 🎉🎊🎇🎆🎁
john tracy
That's what I love about Christmas. It is a real link to the past. I can remember what I got for or did at Christmas 30 or more years ago but don't remember what I did for the 4th of July last year.
Jose III Joves
Goosebumps every time I hear this song. Best version!
Jiltedin2007
The Greatest Version of this Christmas Carol Ihave ever heard. Thank you so much for uploading this on You Tube!
Mrs L
agreed
Christina
Definitely the best version of this iconic song! Thanks for sharing! 😍🎄
William Scott
Brings back great memories of growing up in the early 80's. My Dad would play there cassette tapes during December.