My wife suggested this for a Blog topic today and I think it's a wonderful idea. The content below is from Wikipedia, so it may or may not be accurate, but I find it interesting just the same. Thanks Ann!
- On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
- A Partridge in a Pear Tree.
The second verse:
- On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
- 2 Turtle Doves
- And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
The third verse begins to show some metrical variance, as explained below:
- On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
- 3 French Hens
- 2 Turtle Doves
- And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
...and so forth, until the last verse:
- On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave 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... 4 Colly Birds... 3 French Hens... 2 Turtle Doves... And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" as a Catechism Song Gift Interpretation A partridge in a pear tree Jesus Two turtle doves The Old and New Testaments Three French hens The three kings bearing gifts Four calling [sic] birds The four Gospels Five gold rings The Torah or Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament Six geese a-laying The six days of Creation Seven swans a-swimming Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit Eight maids a-milking The eight Beatitudes Nine ladies dancing Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten lords a-leaping The Ten Commandments Eleven pipers piping The eleven faithful Apostles Twelve drummers drumming The twelve points of the Apostles' Creed
