There are Christmas songs, and there are Christmas traditions. And arguably, one of the most popular Christmas songs is “12 days of Christmas” . It has been remixed, rewritten, and there are several interesting versions available online.

For a lot of us, we know Days one to five well enough, but after “five golden rings” we started to mumble our way to the end. If you can relate to this, no worries at all, we’re here for you. We’ve put together the  lyrics of the original song, as well as the stories behind each gift.

So let’s sing along and learn together. At the end of this article, we trust you’ll be able to sing out loud at the next Christmas Carol, from a partridge in a pear tree, all the way to twelve drummers drumming!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

• A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas.

Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge. This is because it is the only bird that will die to protect its young, just like Jesus died for us.

• Two Turtledoves 

These twin birds represent the bible testaments, one for the old testament, the other for the new testament.

• Three French Hens 

These birds represent faith, hope, and love, from 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter written by the Apostle Paul; particularly verse thirteen, which says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

It also represents the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Four Calling Birds 

These  are the four Gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• Five Gold Rings 

This represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

Watch Pentatonix Version of the 12 Days of Christmas Here

• Six Geese a-Laying 

These lyrics can be traced back to the story of creation. Each egg is a day in creation when God formed the world.

• Seven Swans a-Swimming 

These  are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, Compassion. 

• Eight Maids-a-Milking 

The Eight Maids represent the 8 Beatitudes, from Matthew 5:3-10

• Nine Ladies Dancing 

These represent the fruits of the Spirit. Do you know them?

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.

• Ten Lords A-leaping

As lords were judges and in charge of the law, this represents the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai

• Eleven Pipers Piping

These are the eleven disciples. Though we usually think of the disciples as twelve, but when Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, only eleven men carried out the gospel.

• Twelve Drummers Drumming 

Finally, this is directed to the Catholic Church. The drummers are the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. 

Did you know all these? Now you can sing the twelve days of Christmas knowing each lyrics and what they mean.

Merry Christmas!

Watch the Nigerian Version of the 12 Days of Christmas