The Twelve Days Of Christmas
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 classic holiday song that tells the story of a romantic gift-giving gesture during the twelve days of Christmas. The song is structured with each day's gift is added to the list of the previous verse, so the lyrics build on themselves as the days go on. The song starts with "On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree," and continues through the twelve days, each adding a new gift to the list. The song is a lighthearted representation of the Christmas season, but it's also a story about the generosity and love that the holiday season often represents.
The gifts presented in the song have a symbolic meaning as well, with the partridge in a pear tree representing Jesus Christ, the two turtle doves representing the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the three French hens representing faith, hope, and love, and the four calling birds representing the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, and the six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the eight maids a-milking represent the eight beatitude. The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the ten lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful apostles, and, finally, the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
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 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.
Lyrics © Public Domain Publisher
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 !!!