Ever tried singing all verses of this Christmas classic without missing a beat? It’s harder than it looks!
The 12 Days of Christmas is one of the most loved holiday songs around the world. From the partridge in a pear tree to twelve drummers drumming, each verse adds another gift in a fun, repetitive pattern.
But here’s what most people don’t know. The song isn’t just about gifts. Each present carries a deeper meaning. Plus, the total number of gifts adds up to something surprising!
In this post, you’ll find the complete Days of Christmas lyrics, learn what each gift symbolizes, and read some fun facts that’ll make you appreciate this carol even more.
Let’s get started!
Fun Facts About “The 12 Days of Christmas”
This carol is full of surprises! Here are some interesting facts that might change how you hear the song.
| Fun Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Gifts | Add up every gift in the song, and you get 364 gifts, one for nearly every day of the year! |
| Pop Culture | The song appears in Home Alone 2, Shrek the Halls, and many parodies. |
| Modern Versions | Artists like Bing Crosby and Pentatonix have created their own versions with fresh harmonies. |
| Lyrics Changes | Early versions said “colly birds” instead of “calling birds.” |
History of the 12 Days of Christmas
The song showed up in England in the late 1700s. Some early versions came from France. Back then, it wasn’t just a carol. It was a fun game for children.
Each person had to remember and repeat all the gifts in order. If you messed up, you’d face a silly penalty!
Over the years, it became a popular Christmas song. Today, it celebrates the twelve days between Christmas Day on December 25 and Epiphany on January 6.
Complete 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics
Want to sing along to this classic Christmas carol? Here are all the verses laid out clearly. The song builds with each day, adding a new gift while repeating the ones before.
On the First Day of Christmas Lyrics
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the Second Day of Christmas Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
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 Lyrics
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent 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!
What Do the 12 Gifts Actually Mean?
Ever wonder what those gifts actually mean? The song isn’t just a list of random presents. Each gift carries its own symbolic meaning, often tied to Christian faith and values.
- A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Represents love and sacrifice, as the partridge protects its young at any cost.
- Two Turtle Doves: Symbolize peace and devotion between loved ones.
- Three French Hens: Stand for faith, hope, and charity.
- Four Calling Birds: Represent the four Gospels of the Bible.
- Five Golden Rings: Symbolize eternal love or the first five books of the Bible.
- Six Geese a-Laying: Represent new life and creation.
- Seven Swans a-Swimming: Stand for grace and beauty.
- Eight Maids a-Milking: Symbolize humility and service to others.
- Nine Ladies Dancing: Represent joy and celebration.
- Ten Lords a-Leaping: Stand for the Ten Commandments.
- Eleven Pipers Piping: Represent the faithful apostles.
- Twelve Drummers Drumming: Symbolize the twelve points of faith in the Apostles’ Creed.
Different Versions of 12 Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas isn’t the same everywhere. Different countries have put their own spin on this holiday classic. Here’s how the song changes around the globe.
France
An early French version, “Les Douze Jours de Noël,” existed before the English one became popular. The French version featured different gifts that reflected local culture and traditions.
Scotland
Scottish versions swap out some of the birds for other animals. You might hear about “hares a-running” instead of the traditional gifts. This gives the song a unique Scottish flavor.
United States
The version most Americans know today comes from Frederic Austin’s 1909 arrangement. He added the now-famous melody we hear in modern recordings. His version became the standard across North America.
Each country’s version reflects its own culture and history. But they all share the same festive spirit that makes this carol a holiday favorite.
Summing It Up
The 12 Days of Christmas is more than just a catchy holiday tune.
It’s a song filled with meaning, history, and traditions that have lasted for centuries. From the symbolic partridge in a pear tree to the twelve drummers drumming, each gift tells its own story.
Now that you know the full lyrics and the meanings behind them, you can share this knowledge at your next holiday gathering. Impress your family with fun facts or teach the kids about what each verse really means.
Want more Christmas content like this? Check out our other holiday posts for lyrics, traditions, and festive ideas. And don’t forget to bookmark this page so you can sing along next Christmas!
What’s your favorite verse? Let us know in the comments below!
