The “12 Days of Christmas” and their Real Meaning

The “12 Days of Christmas” is a beloved Christmas song. It will be sung and played on the radio several thousand times this month. This is just one of several Christmas staple songs. Others include “All I want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey. Anything by Burl Ives. “The Little Drummer Boy,” by Bing Crosby and David Bowie, and “Do They Know It’s Christmas” by BANDAID. However, the “12 Days of Christmas” might be the favorite song of many people. It turns out that each of the “12 days of Christmas” has a religious meaning. They are listed for you here. Do you know them?

The Real Meaning of The “12 Days of Christmas”

• The Partridge in the Pear Tree is Jesus Christ.
• The 2 Turtle Doves are The Old and New Testaments.
• The 3 French hens are Faith, Hope, and Charity, the theological virtues.
• The 4 Calling Birds are the four gospels and/or the four evangelists.
• The 5 Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The 6 Geese A-laying are the six days of creation.
• The 7 Swans A-swimming are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.
• The 8 Maids A-milking are the eight beatitudes.
• The 9 Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
• The 10 Lords A-leaping are the ten commandments.
• The 11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles.
• The 12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

Where do the Lyrics of the “12 Days of Christmas Come From?”

Some scholars believe that the “12 Days of Christmas” is French in origin; however, the first printed appearance of the song was in an English children’s book entitled “Mirth Without Mischief.” If you have not heard of it, you are not the only one. The book was published in 1780.

There have been some changes in the original lyrics over the years. The “four calling birds” used to be “four colly birds.” The term “colly” is Old English slang for blackbirds. In other old versions of the song, there was a major lyrical change. The partridge we all know and love is replaced with a “very pretty peacock upon a pear tree.” It was not until 1909 that British composer Frederic Austin wrote the version of the lyrics that we are contemporarily commonly use today.

What Are Some of the Top Christmas Songs?

The beginning of this article lists a few top all-time Christmas songs. Can we get a list? Sure, here is a top ten list according to one source.

1. “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway from 1970
2. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen from 1982
3. “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-D.M.C. from 1987
4. “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano from 1970
5. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee from 1958
6. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby from 1947
7. “Last Christmas” by Wham! from 1984
8. “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” by Nat King Cole from 1961
9. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love from 1963
10. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey from 1994

You can bet we will write articles about these songs soon. Although it is a little surprising, the “12 Days of Christmas” is not on this list.

Conclusion

The “12 Days of Christmas” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. The phrases in the song have a special religious meaning, which is uncovered here. Also, there is a list of the top ten Christmas songs of all time, according to one source. There are hundreds of good Christmas songs; any of them will do to make your season merry.