12 Days of Christmas

1. 12 Days of Christmas

2. Why sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas"? Why are there 12 days, anyway? And why so many birds? 1. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a very popular song. Did you know that the 12 days refers to the days between Christ’s birth and the Magi’s (the three wise men) arrival bearing gifts? 2. Some historians think that some of today’s song words aren’t the original ones. Colly bird (black as coal, blackbirds) has become calling birds, and five golden rings (meaning ring-necked birds such as pheasants) now are assumed to be circles that go around fingers. The original words meant that the first seven gifts were all birds! Whatever its origins, the gaveiment of giving gifts to your true love around this season is lovely. EXTRA CREDIT (10 points): Change the song’s words to fit your life? Make a list of gifts you could give to those you love. Figure out the number of syllables in each line so you can substitute words that fit the song’s rhythm.

3. 12 Days of Christmas 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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. 

7. 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. 

8. 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. 

9. 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. 

10. 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! 

11. Partridge $20.00 Pear tree $199.99 Turtle Dove $27.50 French Hen $10.00 Calling Bird $149.99 Gold Ring $69.99 Laying Goose $40.00 Swimming Swan $800.00 Maid-a-milking $6.55 Lady Dancing $528.80 Leaping Lord $441.36 Piper Piping $207.71 Drummer Drumming $206.27