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Lyrics THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS The Twelve Days of Christmas is not quite the easy-going carol it would first appear to be. When it was written it had a very serious purpose indeed. There was a time in England (1558 - 1829) when it was actually a crime to practice the Roman Catholic faith. The Twelve Days of Christmas was written as a cathechism song. The repitition was to help young Catholics to learn and remember the tenets of their faith. (Personally, I have enough trouble remembering the order of the gifts without having to also remember what they stood for!) The true love mentioned refers to God. The me stands for every baptized Christian. The partridge in a pear tree refers to Jesus. Two turtle doves stand for the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens refer to the theological virtues faith, hope and charity (or love). Four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The five golden rings represent the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. Six geese a-laying stand for the six days God worked creating the earth. (On the seventh day He rested.) The seven swans a-swimming are the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith. The eight maids a-milking represent the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing refer to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The ten lords a-leaping are the ten commandments. The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples. And the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed. 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 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 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 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 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 golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.