The 12 Days of Christmas — Story Behind the Song
The 12 days of Christmas is the period in Christian theology that marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6 (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings’ Day). It also the title of a well-loved Christmas song.
While the exact origins and the meaning of the song are unknown, the Twelve Days of Christmas Song is believed to date back to Medieval French troubadours. The earliest known version first appeared in a 1780 children’s book called Mirth With-out Mischief. The lyrics to the song that we sing today were published in England by J.O. Helliwell in 1842. It is thought the gifts in the song were symbols used to help children learn the tenets of their faith. Here is one interpretation that we have heard:
The Partridge in a Pear Tree: Jesus Christ
Two Turtledoves: The Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens: Faith, Hope and Love
Four Calling Birds: The Four Gospels
Five Gold Rings: 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: Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping: Eleven Faithful Apostles
Twelve Drummers Drumming: The Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostles Creed The “true love” in the song refers to God Himself. And the “me” receiving the gifts is every Christian.
Most historians agree that the song was designed as a “memory and forfeits” game, in which singers tested their recall of the lyrics and had to award their opponents a “forfeit” — a kiss or a favor of some kind — if they made a mistake.
Giving someone all the gifts in the song would be expensive! In 2022, the calculated price for the 12 days of gifts was $45,523 … or if you bought the items over and over each day like the song suggests, that's 364 total gifts, and over $197,000.
