Our Favourite Christmas Carols & Songs – The Twelve Days of Christmas

Each of the twelve days of Christmas refers to the symbolism of religion.

They are:

• True Love refers to God
• 2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
• 3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
• 4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
• 5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
• Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
• 7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
• 8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
• 9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
• 10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
• 11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
• 12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

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Download the Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Lyrics

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

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!

If you enjoy singing along with your favourite Christmas carols and songs, you can find the lyrics to all fifteen of our favourites by clicking here

Why not print this Christmas carol out and have a sing-a-long with friends and family.

What is your favourite Xmas song? Share your comments below!