The festive season is upon us, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by singing along to the classic Christmas carol, "The 12 Days of Christmas"? But have you ever found yourself struggling to remember the lyrics, or wishing you had a handy guide to refer to? Look no further! In this article, we'll provide you with a free printable guide to the "12 Days of Christmas" lyrics, as well as some fun facts and history behind this beloved holiday tune.
The Origins of "The 12 Days of Christmas"
Before we dive into the lyrics, let's take a brief look at the origins of this popular Christmas carol. "The 12 Days of Christmas" is believed to have originated in England in the 16th century, although the exact author and date of composition are unknown. The song is thought to have been written as a children's game, with each verse building on the previous one to create a cumulative effect. The song's lyrics are also steeped in Christian tradition, with the "12 days" referring to the period between Christmas Day and the Epiphany (January 6th), which is also known as Three Kings' Day.
The Lyrics to "The 12 Days of Christmas"
Now, without further ado, here are the lyrics to "The 12 Days of Christmas":
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me A partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Three French hens Two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Ten lords a-leaping 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
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave 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 gold 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 gave 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 gold rings Four calling birds Three French hens Two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree
The Meaning Behind the Lyrics
Now that we've covered the lyrics, let's take a closer look at the meaning behind them. Each verse of "The 12 Days of Christmas" represents a different gift given by the singer's "true love" on each of the 12 days of Christmas. But what do these gifts symbolize?
- A partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus Christ, the son of God
- Two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments
- Three French hens represent faith, hope, and charity
- Four calling birds represent the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
- Five gold rings represent the five books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)
- Six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation
- Seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord)
- Eight maids a-milking represent the eight beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc.)
- Nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)
- Ten lords a-leaping represent the Ten Commandments
- Eleven pipers piping represent the 11 faithful apostles (excluding Judas)
- Twelve drummers drumming represent the 12 points of the Apostles' Creed
The Symbolism of the Gifts
As we can see, each gift in "The 12 Days of Christmas" has a deeper symbolic meaning, representing various aspects of Christianity and the holiday season. The song's use of cumulative lyrics, where each verse builds on the previous one, also represents the idea of spiritual growth and accumulation of knowledge.
Fun Facts About "The 12 Days of Christmas"
Here are some fun facts about "The 12 Days of Christmas":
- The song has been translated into numerous languages, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
- The song's melody is believed to have originated from a traditional English folk tune.
- The song has been covered by countless artists, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Mariah Carey.
- The song's lyrics have been adapted and parodied countless times, with variations including "The 12 Days of Halloween" and "The 12 Days of Christmas (In Detroit)".
Conclusion: Spread the Holiday Cheer!
And there you have it - a comprehensive guide to the lyrics and meaning behind "The 12 Days of Christmas". Whether you're a fan of traditional Christmas carols or just looking for a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit, this song is sure to bring a smile to your face. So go ahead, print out the lyrics, gather your friends and family, and start singing along!
We hope you've enjoyed this article and found it informative and entertaining. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to share them below. And don't forget to spread the holiday cheer by sharing this article with your friends and loved ones!
What is the origin of "The 12 Days of Christmas"?
+The song is believed to have originated in England in the 16th century, although the exact author and date of composition are unknown.
What do the gifts in "The 12 Days of Christmas" represent?
+Each gift in the song represents a different aspect of Christianity and the holiday season, including Jesus Christ, the Old and New Testaments, faith, hope, and charity, and more.
Who has covered "The 12 Days of Christmas"?
+The song has been covered by countless artists, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Mariah Carey.