The Twelve Days of Christmas (song) facts for kids

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The song The Twelve Days of Christmas is a well-known English Christmas carol. It was first published around 1780. Some people believe it was created by Catholics who were hiding during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. During this period, Catholics faced challenges, and this song might have been a secret way to teach children important parts of their faith. It used simple pictures and ideas to help kids remember these lessons without drawing attention.

The carol describes a series of gifts given each day during the Twelve Days of Christmas. These gifts become grander as the song continues. Each gift in the song is thought to have a special, hidden meaning:

What the Song Means

• The partridge in a pear tree is said to represent Christ on the Cross.
• The two turtledoves can symbolize different things. They might stand for Christ's human and divine nature. They could also represent the two main parts of the Bible: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Another idea is that they stand for the two stone tablets where the Ten Commandments were written.
• The three French hens are often linked to the Trinity. This is a Christian belief in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. They can also represent three important virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity.
• The four calling birds are believed to be the four Evangelists. These are the writers of the four Gospels in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• The song continues with more gifts, each with its own special meaning related to faith and teachings.

Fun Facts About the Song

Over the years, many artists have sung and changed "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It has been used in many parodies, which are funny versions of the original. Famous singers like Connie Francis and Natalie Cole have performed it. Even the Muppets have created their own fun versions of this classic Christmas carol.

Images for kids

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  Anonymous broadside, Angus, Newcastle, 1774–1825

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  Mirth without Mischief (1780). London: Printed by J. Davenport, George's Court

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  One of the two "Twelve Days of Christmas" Faroe stamps

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  Illustration of "five gold rings", from the first known publication of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (1780)

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  Melody of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", from Austin's 1909 arrangement

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  Flourish on the words "Five gold rings" in the final verse of Austin's 1909 arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

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  Melody of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", "recorded about 1875 by a lady of Providence, RI, from the singing of an aged man."

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  Members of the Navy Sea Chanters sing their comedy version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" on 4 December 2009, at the Wallace Theater, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia

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  Musical setting from Edward Rimbault's Nursery Rhymes, with the Tunes to which They Are Still Sung in the Nurseries of England (c. 1846).

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  This melody for "The Twelve Days" was published in 1888. It was "collected by the late Mr. John Bell, of Gateshead, about eighty years ago" [i.e. around 1808]

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  This melody was current in "country villages in Wiltshire", according to an 1891 newspaper article.

See also

In Spanish: The Twelve Days of Christmas para niños