Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Among the many songs of the season that can be heard non-stop during this time of year is “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Few songs have as rich a history as this popular holiday classic. Although the song is centuries old, it remains a favorite among many. A little bit of digging can unearth some very interesting thoughts and facts about the song and its “gift list.”
Many historians believe the song is actually of French origin, although the lyrics first appeared in English children’s book called “Mirth Without Mischief,” which was published in 1780. According to an article in Good Housekeeping, the original lyrics list “four colly birds,” instead of “four calling birds.” The term “colly” was an old English slang term for a blackbird. In addition, instead of a partridge sitting in that pear tree, the original list included a “very pretty peacock upon a pear tree.” It was in 1909 that English composer Frederic Austin wrote the lyrics with which we are so familiar today.
One popular thought is that the list of gifts listed in the song was actually a sort of “code” passed along during a time when Christians were punished for worshiping in the open. Although this theory is up to debate in regards to historical accuracy, it’s still an interesting concept to consider. According to this theory, each gift represents a different aspect of Christian faith.
• The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
• The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.
• The Three French Hens are the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.
• The four calling birds are the four gospels.
• The five golden rings are the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The six geese-laying represent the six days of creation.
• The seven swans a-swimming are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the seven sacraments.
• The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.
• The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit mentioned in fifth chapter of the Book of Galatians.
• The 10 lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
• The 11 pipers piping are the 11 faithful apostles.
• The 12 drummers drumming are the 12 points of the Apostle’s Creed.
If one were to attempt to actually give the gifts listed in the song, they had better have a pretty hefty bank account. According to PNC Bank, which has been tracking the price of the gifts listed in the song since 1984. If you were to purchase the gifts without repetition (for example only on that 12th day), in 1984, that would have cost $20,069.58. Interestingly, in 1995, you could have gotten those gifts at a bargain, just $17,848.99. This year, those gifts for your true love would cost $51,476.12. If you factor in the repetition mentioned and purchased all the gifts for each of the 12 days, it would cost a whopping $218,542.98. Of all the birds on the list, the seven swans a-swimming are clearly the most expensive, costing $13,125 for each set. All that doesn’t even take into account the vast amount of space needed to put all those pear trees, turtle doves, swans, French hens, calling birds and partridges.