The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Andrews Sisters Bing Crosby Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 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!

Overall Meaning

The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a traditional English Christmas carol that dates back to the 18th century. It is said that the song originated as a way to teach children about Christianity during a time when practicing the religion was illegal in England. Each of the twelve days in the song represents a different gift given by the singer's true love.


The first gift is a partridge in a pear tree, which is seen as a symbol of Jesus Christ. The next two gifts, two turtle doves, are believed to represent the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The three French hens are symbolic of faith, hope, and love, while the four calling birds represent the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The five golden rings stand for the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch. The six geese a-laying are a symbol of the six days of creation, and 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 are meant to represent the eight Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, while the nine ladies dancing are symbolic of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The ten lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments, and the eleven pipers piping symbolize the eleven disciples who remained faithful to Jesus Christ. Lastly, the twelve drummers drumming are a symbol of the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed.


Overall, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a fun and whimsical way to remember the different symbols and teachings of Christianity. It has remained a beloved Christmas carol for generations, and continues to be a popular song sung during the holiday season.


Line by Line Meaning

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent me a gift of a partridge that was sitting 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 true love sent me two doves of the turtle variety and, as before, 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 third day of Christmas, my true love sent me three hens that hailed from France, two turtle doves and, again, 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 fourth day of Christmas, my true love surprised me with four birds that were quite vocal, three French hens, two turtle doves, and the same partridge that keeps appearing in my 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 fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave me a very extravagant present of five rings made of gold. Along with that, I received four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and yes, yet another partridge in the precious 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 sixth day of Christmas, my true love kept the luxe gifts coming with the giving of six geese that were in the middle of laying eggs. I also got five rings made of gold, four vocal birds, three French hens, two turtles and yep, you guessed it... another partridge perched in the foliage of the 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 seventh day of Christmas, my significant other went all out with the gift-giving experience and bestowed upon me seven shiny and graceful swans that were frolicking in water. The other presents that came with these swans were six geese laying eggs, five more gold rings, four birds singing, three French hens, two turtle doves, and, a partridge that landed yet again in the 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.
The eighth day was one of the long-lasting presents as eight dairymaid young ladies came in to milk and do other household errands. Together with them came the seven swans, six geese, five rings made of gold, four chatty birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge that keeps finding its way back to the 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 gifts on the ninth day were extra special to me as it was nine ladies and not some random girls, but women of great talent who came to sing and dance. They came along with eight maids doing household chores, seven swans, six laying geese, more gold rings, talking birds, three French hens, two turtles, and the one symbolizing bird that is never far from the fruit orchard.


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 tenth day, I was gifted with ten extremely lively lords eagerly jumping about. They appeared with nine ladies who were dancing and eight maids busy with their routine works, seven swans floating about, six geese already laying, five more golden rings, four noisy birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and, you already know which bird landed in the 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.
The eleventh day brought along an interesting combination of eleven musicians with their instruments that came to play festive music. The ten lords were still leaping around while nine women continued to dance, more maids milked, seven swans paddled, six geese were busy, five more golden rings, four more birds singing, three French hens, two turtles, and one bird that found comfort in the friendly 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, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
Finally, on the twelfth day, the generous presents ended as my true love gave me twelve drum players to mark the end of the occasion with their beats. The eleven musicians continued to sing, ten lords kept jumping, nine women enthusiastically danced, eight maids with their workload, seven birds swam, six geese laid eggs, five golden rings, four birds sang, three French hens, two turtles, and, in the end, one partridge just hanging out in that pear tree!




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE SHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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!

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