The Twelve Days of Christmas
The London Fox Children's Choir Lyrics
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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 MAIDES-A-MILKING!
SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING!
SIX GEESE-A-LAYING!
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!
FOUR CALLING BIRDS!
THREE FRENCH HENS!
TWO TURTLE DOVES!
AND A PARTRAGE IN A PEAR TREE!
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a popular English Christmas carol that tells the story of someone receiving gifts from their true love over the course of twelve days. Each day, a new gift is added to the list, creating a cumulative effect. The song is often sung in a call-and-response style, with the first verse introducing the gift of the day, and the subsequent verses repeating the gifts from the previous days.
The lyrics begin with the first day of Christmas when the true love sends a partridge in a pear tree. This gift represents the idea of love and care, symbolized by the partridge and its dwelling in the pear tree. It is seen as a token of affection and protection.
As the days progress, the true love continues to send additional gifts. On the second day, two turtle doves are added to the partridge in the pear tree, symbolizing companionship and loyalty. The addition of three French hens on the third day represents fertility and abundance. Each subsequent day introduces new elements, including calling birds, golden rings, geese, swans, and maids, each carrying its own symbolic meaning.
The climax of the song occurs on the twelfth day of Christmas when the recipient receives 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 the original partridge in a pear tree. This elaborate collection of gifts represents the culmination of the true love's affection and generosity, showcasing a lavish and festive celebration of Christmas.
Overall, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a whimsical and joyful song that highlights the spirit of giving and the abundance of love and joy during the holiday season. It celebrates the act of receiving and cherishing gifts, embodying the essence of Christmas's generosity and goodwill.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas
At the start of the Christmas season
My true love sent to me
Someone dear to me gave as a gift
A partridge in a pear tree
A bird sitting in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas
One day after the start of the Christmas season
Two turtle doves
Two small pigeons
And a partridge in a pear tree
Along with the bird sitting in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas
Three days after the start of the Christmas season
Three French hens
Three hens from France
On the fourth day of Christmas
Four days after the start of the Christmas season
Four calling birds
Four birds known for their singing
On the fifth day of Christmas
Five days after the start of the Christmas season
Five golden rings
Five rings made of gold
On the sixth day of Christmas
Six days after the start of the Christmas season
Six geese-a-laying
Six geese laying eggs
On the seventh day of Christmas
Seven days after the start of the Christmas season
Seven swans-a-swimming
Seven swans gracefully swimming
On the eighth day of Christmas
Eight days after the start of the Christmas season
Eight maids-a-milking
Eight women milking cows
On the ninth day of Christmas
Nine days after the start of the Christmas season
Nine ladies dancing
Nine women dancing with joy
On the tenth day of Christmas
Ten days after the start of the Christmas season
Ten Lords-a-leaping
Ten nobleman jumping with excitement
On the eleventh day of Christmas
Eleven days after the start of the Christmas season
Eleven Pipers Piping
Eleven musicians playing pipes
On the twelfth day of Christmas
Twelve days after the start of the Christmas season
TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING!
Twelve drummers making loud beats
ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING!
Eleven musicians playing pipes
TEN LORDS-A-LEAPING!
Ten nobleman jumping with excitement
NINE LADIES DANCING!
Nine women dancing with joy
EIGHT MAIDES-A-MILKING!
Eight women milking cows
SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING!
Seven swans gracefully swimming
SIX GEESE-A-LAYING!
Six geese laying eggs
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!
Five rings made of gold
FOUR CALLING BIRDS!
Four birds known for their singing
THREE FRENCH HENS!
Three hens from France
TWO TURTLE DOVES!
Two small pigeons
AND A PARTRAGE IN A PEAR TREE!
And a bird sitting in a pear tree
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tim Mather, TRAD TRAD, TRAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind