Lyrics to 12 Days of Christmas

 Lyrics to 12 Days of Christmas 

“The 12 Days of Christmas” is a most famous Christmas carol. In 1780, this song had been published in London as a chant or English rhyme in the children’s book Mirth without Mischief and the title was "The Twelve Days of Christmas" sung at King Pepin’s Ball. The source and meaning of the song is unknown. But some researchers think that the origin of the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas” may have been French but most believe that the song was designed as a “memory of forfeits” game. In this game, the singers tested their recall of the lyrics. If they used to make a mistake, they had to pay a fine of forfeit- a kiss or confection. In 1909, English composer Frederick Austin set the melody and lyrics of this song “The 12 Days of Christmas”, which are now better known.

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: 

12 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