“Patty Andrews, the lead singer of the Andrews sisters group was born in Mound, Minnesota on February 16, 1918 in a house that occupied the property where The Gillespie Center stands today.
During the 1920’s Laverne, Maxene and Patty Andrews spent their summers in Mound, living with their parents in a house across the street from the grocery store that was owned by Pete and Ed Sollie, bachelor uncles of the three girls. (Today, Green T Accounting occupies the Sollie grocery store building and The Gillespie Center is on the land where the Andrews Sisters’ house once stood.)” - From a commentary by Tom Rockvam that appeared in The Laker Newspaper during 2005.
They started their career as imitators of an earlier successful singing group, the Boswell Sisters. After singing with various dance bands and touring on Vaudeville, they first came to national attention with their recordings and radio broadcasts in 1937. Their music entertained Allied troops worldwide during World War II, sold war bonds, appeared in several films (including a few Abbott and Costello features), and performed for soldiers serving overseas. Their first film with Abbott and Costello, the pre-war comedy Buck Privates, introduced their best-known recording, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" which would win Best Song at the Academy Awards.
They also recorded many songs with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and other popular artists of the era. Their popularity was such that after the war they discovered that some of their records had actually been smuggled into Germany after the labels had been changed to read "Hitler's Marching Songs."
After a brief hiatus after the war, the sisters regrouped, performing in clubs throughout the United States and Europe. They broke up in 1953, with Patty's choice to go solo. Their last appearance together was in 1962 on The Dean Martin Show. Laverne, who had cancer, retired soon after; she died five years later, in 1967 at the age of 55.
After a long silence, the two surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded a cover of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Maxene and Patty appeared both together and separately throughout the 1970s, with Maxene releasing a solo album in 1986. Their most notable comeback; however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: "Over Here!" which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974. The musical featured the two then living sisters (Maxene and Patty) and was written with them in mind for the leads. It launched the careers of many, now notable theater and film icons (John Travolta, Marilu Henner, Ann Reinking, et al). Ironically it was the last major hurrah of the sisters and was cut short due to a frivolous lawsuit initiated by Patty's husband to the show's producers.
Throughout their long career, the sisters had sold over 60 million records. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The last of the three sisters Patty Andrews died of natural causes at her home in Northridge, California on January 30, 2013, just 17 days before her 95th birthday. The sisters were interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, close to their parents.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Andrews Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A partridge in a pear tree.
(On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree).
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
(Two turtledoves)
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 turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
(Five golden rings.) Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves,)
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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
(I sent 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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
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 maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,)
Six geese a-laying,
(Five golden rings). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
And a partridge in a pear tree.
The Twelve Days of Christmas is a classic holiday song that lists gift items that the singer receives from their true love. The song is divided into twelve days, with each day adding one more gift than the previous day, resulting in a cumulative total of 364 gifts by the twelfth day. The first gift is a partridge in a pear tree, which is repeated in each stanza, with different gifts added each day. On the second day, two turtledoves are added, and on the third day, three French hens are added, two turtledoves and a partridge in a pear tree. This continues until the twelfth day, where twelve drummers are added, 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 turtledoves and a partridge in a pear tree.
There are several interpretations of the meaning behind The Twelve Days of Christmas. One interpretation is that the gifts represent Christian symbolism, with the partridge being Jesus, the two turtledoves being the Old and New Testaments, the three French hens representing faith, hope, and love, the four calling birds represent the four gospels, the five golden rings representing the Pentateuch or the first five books of Moses, the six geese a-laying symbolizing the six days of creation, the seven swans a-swimming representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the eight maids a-milking representing the eight beatitudes, the nine ladies dancing representing the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, the ten lords a-leaping representing the Ten Commandments, the eleven pipers piping representing the eleven faithful disciples, and the twelve drummers drumming representing the twelve apostles.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
My true love sent me a unique and valuable gift, a partridge in a pear tree, and this marks the beginning of the twelve days of Christmas.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
My true love continues to send me gifts, and on the third day, I received three French hens, as well as the partridge in a pear tree from the first day and the two turtledoves from the second day.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
(Five golden rings.) Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
My true love continues their generous gift-giving with five golden rings, in addition to the previous gifts of birds and hens, as well as the 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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
My true love's generosity continues on the ninth day with the gift of nine ladies dancing, in addition to the previous gifts of maids, swans, geese, and golden rings, as well as the birds from the first few days.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
(I sent 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). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day, I received eleven pipers piping, showcasing my true love's desire to bring even more music and celebration into my life. This gift is in addition to the rest of the previous gifts from the days before.
(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 maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,)
Six geese a-laying,
(Five golden rings). Five golden rings
(Four calling birds,)
Three French hens,
(Two turtledoves)
And a partridge in a pear tree.
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Finally, on the last and twelfth day, I received twelve drummers drumming, finishing off the twelve days of Christmas with a celebration of music, along with all of the previous gifts from the days before.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY VAN HEUSEN, SAMMY CAHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidtrepanier
On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 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
@Lucas-dg5wc
[Verse 1]
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 2]
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
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
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
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
[Verse 7]
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
[Verse 8]
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
[Verse 9]
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
[Verse 10]
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
[Verse 11]
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
[Verse 12]
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 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
@patrickstocks3986
On the 1st day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
A partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 2nd day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 3rd day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 4th of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 5th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent you me
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 6th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 7th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 8th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 9th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💓 sent you me
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 10th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
10 lords a-leaping
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 11th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💓 sent to me
I sent 11 pipers piping
10 lords a-leaping
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
On the 12th day of Christmas 🎄 my true love 💕 sent to me
12 drummers drumming
11 pipers piping
10 lords a-leaping
9 ladies dancing 💃
8 maids a-milking
7 swans 🦢 a-swimming
6 geese a-laying
5 gold rings
(5 golden rings)
4 calling birds 🦅
3 French hens
2 turtle doves 🕊
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
And a partridge in a pear 🍐 tree 🌳
@motoe948
[Verse 1]
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 2]
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree
[Verse 3]
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
[Verse 4]
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
[Verse 5]
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
[Verse 6]
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
[Verse 7]
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
[Verse 8]
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
[Verse 9]
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
[Verse 10]
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
10 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
[Verse 11]
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
11 pipers piping
10 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
[Verse 12]
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
12 drummers drumming
11 pipers piping
10 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
@Janskill
I love this version.
@chriscarr7397
I do too!!!
@imoutyoufatbitchh
me too!
@elvarobles6454
🤹♀️🤹♀️🤹♀️🤹♀️🤹♀️
@deackpledge1839
This is by far the best version
@chriscarr7397
Yes, I agree 👍
@DoroSusi
Mr. Crosby was a wonderful singer with a beautiful warm voice! :) <3
@TCDL11
I love the bit where one of the Andrews Sisters sings 'to me' in a descending note.
Also Bing interrupting with 'Fi-ve Golden Rings" and doing so with conviction.
An early example of freestyling vocal gymnastics methinks. Lol 😂!!!
@moonbustin
The best 12 days of Christmas version for me. Nostalgic
@alisonwoods1058
Love this song! Brings back a lot of memories!