� 2001-2006 by Shiloh
�
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!
This carol originates from England around the 16th century, yet many say the music is reputed to be French. The tradition actually starts on Christmas day and goes through till the eve of Epiphany (Jan. 5). And each day or "gift" has a religious connotation:
1 True Love refers to GodI found this quite interesting, and once again it proves there is a religious background behind most any tradition at Christmastime. They've (the backgrounds or reasons behind them) been long forgotten and we've just followed the traditions just because...well, they're tradition, as Tevya says in Fiddler On the Roof. It's neat and fun to learn why we do what we do at Christmastime or any other holiday. I find it mostly fascinating.
2 Turtle Doves refer to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refer to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refer to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refer to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch," which gives the history of man's fall from grace
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refer to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refer to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refer to the Ten Commandments
11 Pipers Piping refer to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refer to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
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