Twelve days of Christmas
Twelve days 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 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 colly 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 gold rings
Four colly 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 laying
Five gold rings
Four colly 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 swimming
Six geese laying
Five gold rings
Four colly 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 milking
Seven swans swimming
Six geese laying
Five gold rings
Four colly 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 drummers drumming
Eight maids milking
Seven swans swimming
Six geese laying
Five gold rings
Four colly 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 pipers piping
Nine drummers drumming
Eight maids milking
Seven swans swimming
Six geese laying
Five gold rings
Four colly 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 ladies dancing
Ten pipers piping
Nine drummers drumming
Eight maids milking
Seven swans swimming
Six geese laying
Five gold rings
Four colly 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
Twelve lords leaping
Eleven ladies dancing
Ten pipers piping
Nine drummers drumming
Eight maids milking
Seven swans swimming
Six geese laying
Five gold rings
Four colly birds
Three french hens
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree.
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Related Categories
Twelve days of Christmas Alternative Lyrics
An Alternative Order
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords a leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming
Fun Alternative Version
A teddy in a xmas tree
Two racing cars
Three spider men
Four party bratz
Five diamond rings
Six funky fishes
Seven stripy jumpers
Eight slinky slinkies
Nine motor bikes
Ten batman capes
Eleven cuddly kittens
Twelve fluffy bunnies
Information About Twelve days of Christmas
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a very popular cumulative, English Christmas carol about giving gifts over Christmas.
The song's date of origin is not known, but could go back as far as the 16th century and is possibly of French origin.
This Christmas carol and children's nursery rhyme was originally published in a book called ‘Mirth without Mischief’ in London around 1780, as a Twelfth Night "memories-and-forfeits" game. The twelve days in the song are the twelve days starting Christmas day; the Twelfth Night being the evening of the fifth of January.
English scholar James Orchard Halliwell printed the earliest melodic version of the song in 1842, published in ‘The Nursery Rhymes of England' (1846).
I receive many emails about the usage of 'Colly birds'. People are correct to assert that 'calling birds' is now more commonly used. Colly means black as coal in old English, so Colly birds means black birds - which is the original lyric. Colly no longer is used in conversational English, so this lyric has now been replaced by 'calling birds'.
Traditionally, that's "four CALLING birds" which apparently refers to a particular small game species in a line in the King James Bible translation attributed to King David.
Some people say that the song was origiated by Catholics who wanted their children a christian song but because christianity was illegal they had to do it another way and each number is supposed to mean something biblical but it is all a myth. it is just a common regular song that someone made up.
Some Historical Beliefs Attached To This Song:
1. A Partridge in a pear tree refers to Jesus, Christ the Son of God.
2. Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testament
3. French Hens - Faith, Hope and Charity (the Theological Virtues)
4. Colling birds - the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5. Golden Rings - The first Five Books of the Old Testament
6. Geese A-laying - the six days of creation
7. Swans A-swimming - the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8. Maids A-Milking - the eight beatitudes
9. Lords Ladies Dancing - the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Lords A - Leaping-the ten commandments
11. Pipers Piping - the eleven faithful apostles
12. Drummers Drumming - the twelve points of the doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
If you want to learn more about the history of the song, check out this page about The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Do you like Christmas carols? Take a look at the other songs we have listed.
Twelve days of Christmas Video
User Comments Twelve days of Christmas (88)
By Donna from Sydney Australia on 25 November 2008
i like this song but it will be much better if there was the song in it
By Nannybananny from Canada on 26 November 2008
I'm looking for actions to the twelve days of Christmas. Many years ago the principal at my son's school used to lead the parents in a hilarious series of actions a real show stopper. oes anyone know the actions?
By Bobby from Pa Usa on 3 December 2008
not to be picky, but the words aren't totally correct.... CALLING birds GOLDEN rings a-milking a-leaping a-laying a-dancing etc
By Terri from Mesa Az on 5 December 2008
I agree about some of the words being wrong. And the video is no longer available. I was so hoping to find a children's video with the original words and original presents. All the ones online now are so inappropriate. *sigh*
By Jan from Fayetteville, U.s.a on 7 December 2008
i love this song. it just brings family together
By Just The Man from Fayetteville, U.s.a on 7 December 2008
the words in this site were not correct, you might wanna fix that man.
By Kyleigh & Kobie from *c* Town Ga on 8 December 2008
This site is awful and the lyrics are all messed up? How could you!
By Chris + Aidan from Telford on 9 December 2008
wat a minted song were all singing!
By John from Vancouver on 12 December 2008
The actions (from what I remember) Partridge tree: arms up like branches, balanced on a leg Turtle doves: hands with flapping wings French hens: can't remember Calling birds: Hand to mouth, calling out Gold rings: arms shaped in an 'O' above the head Geese a laying: Lower bottom like laying an egg Swans swimming: breast-stroke Maids milking: milking motion with hands Ladies Dancing: Arms in a waltz Lords a Leaping: Arms in an arabesque, hopping on one foot Pipers piping: Hands playing an imaginary pipe Drummers drumming: drumming a parade drum
By Miley from Tennise on 13 December 2008
Hi I am Miley Jacobs you rock my socks this song was great.
By Morgane from Swizerland St-prex on 19 December 2008
what is this it is not even correcte how can kids lerne a song if it is wrong.Pepole how ar doing this dont even pute on the rith lirycs
By Ikra from England,luton on 19 December 2008
this song was great but id prefure no music but the lyrics were great
By Hannah Montana from Nashville Tn on 19 December 2008
this song is all messed up you who did this song is wrong it is calling birds and golden rings but i love this song i actually sang it in school today after we learned french rock on yal!
By Amanda from Sewell,nj,usa on 22 December 2008
these are the wrong words and hand motion for the death would be nice to put up
By Riley from Depew Ny on 24 December 2008
I really like this song I am trying to find a good song for my family to sing and get in the spirit!
By Raven from Cebu City , Philippines on 2 January 2009
I really like this song but there is wrong in your song the 9 drummers drumming its 9 ladies dancing but i really this song its like crazy and joke song the end
By Thomas from Carrollton,georgia on 7 June 2009
I could have sworn that it was GOLDEN rings! We song this song all the way from Pre-K to 5th grade on the intercom before we left school for Christmas Break and I always remembered GOLDEN.
By Carry from Willson on 4 December 2009
funny... hard to sing HOW DID HE GET THE MONEY...IT IS RONG...DON'T YOU KNOW.. BUT I LOVE THIS SONG...
By Marry from Wilson on 4 December 2009
This song is the best and so is christmas break...I wish i had that money...Omg...Lol...Have fun on christmas break...
By Tyra from Nj on 5 December 2009
I love this it is my favorite ive been trying to lean it for years and i finally got it
By Madi from Sc Mb on 5 December 2009
i didnt know what it ment that is so awesome
By Edwin from Seaside Ca on 7 December 2009
your song is so beautiful it makes me want to cry
By Nicole from Seaside Ca on 7 December 2009
i love it when i sing it you guys cant sing it like NICOLE WILLIAMS white girl style in seaside cali
By Beck from Lancs on 10 December 2009
Four Colly Birds? What the hell? It's CALLING BIRDS. Calling. *rolls eyes*
By Bailey& Kim from Californa on 17 December 2009
this short verson is pretty cool.!
By Amirah Muhammad from Granger,in on 20 December 2009
Wow when I herd this song I had to print it but I did'nt have enough ink but I got to any way.
By Beyonce from Hollywood on 6 February 2010
I love this song i always listen to it
By S.d. from Waycross on 11 April 2010
I love the song and the meaning of the words maybe the rest of ya'll are not humans
By Shiela Marie from Philippines on 22 November 2010
I like this song.....I love it.!
By Elisbetyh from American Samoa on 30 November 2010
love this song it is so awesome
By Justin Bieber from Haiti on 30 November 2010
im in haiti wright now this song is awesome i can sing it in my bieber voice girlz ur gonna freak out cuz justin bieber was here
By Olivia from United States on 30 November 2010
Just saying, you people (Commenting) need to learn how to spell. "Wrong" is NOT spelled "rong". This isn't hard people. If you don't know how to spell it then find a dictionary, or someone that knows how to spell. And Justin Bieber was NOT in Haiti.
By Olivia from United States on 30 November 2010
P.S. Use the right right. Besides, "wright" isn't a word. Unless it's a last name.
By G6 from Indonesia on 1 December 2010
T his is a sweet song that you can sing to your true love.
By Tori from United States on 11 December 2010
Olivia I read Your comment and it's okay if people spell things rong see people like to write that way so leave people alone no one cares how we spell things >:(
By Stephanie from United States on 12 December 2010
Wat is wrong with thiz websit.some wordz r wrong.who ever wrote thiz must b old and blind.
By Kaitlyn from United States on 13 December 2010
love the words.it speaks for its self
By Elizabeth from United States on 14 December 2010
@Stephanie from United States At least they can spell correctly. Last i knew 'b' was a letter, not a word. When you start to type complete sentences like a normal human being, you can then judge others and the simple mistakes they make.
By 12345678910 from United States on 16 December 2010
I love these lyrics, im using them for a project at school .
By Savannah from United States on 16 December 2010
so good . but i have to take a breath inbetwen
By Alice from United States on 17 December 2010
i love this verision of the song thanks
By Nancy from United States on 18 December 2010
I love Justin Bieber.PS That song was horible
By Sudipta from United States on 27 February 2011
I agree that HANNAH MONTANA is wrong! Its right the way it is. And cool song.
By Hannah Montana from Japan on 20 June 2011
i love it i tell you it is my sister tht sng this song.
By Jada And Jalen from United States on 7 July 2011
Hi this is Jada with my younger friend Jalen and we would like to say how much we love this song. And be quiet Olivia. People r j posting comints.
By Lydia from Kenya on 27 July 2011
lovely. isnt internet lovely. Ihave been wanting to know the words and listen to this song since I was twelve. Now Iam 53 and finally i have managed
By Bob from United States on 22 November 2011
Before you start complaining that the words are wrong, look up the history of the song. The original did have colly birds and gold rings. Just because you learned it a certain way, does not mean your way is the right one. You may really be singing the wrong lyrics.
By Sue from United Kingdom on 11 December 2011
Do not worry about local variations: in Harrogate we sang "The Farmer's in his Den ... Ee-aye-the-endio" to a completely different tune to Wolverhampton where they had a different third line too. Some of you reading this will be saying "Doesn't she mean, "The Farmer's in the Dell"! See- plenty of choices!
By Jonathan from United States on 13 December 2011
i hate that song it so messed up the right one is the one people actullay sing god danget get it right
By Justin Bieber from Azerbaijan on 13 December 2011
im dead and i know it haha just kicked someones butt
By Justin Bieber from Haiti on 13 December 2011
i am too in haiti olivia so shut ur face
By Jb Kool,, from American Samoa on 25 December 2011
u know sel is preg and that is su cwl its me JB puff
By Hawwa from United Kingdom on 26 December 2011
i love this becase its all about chrismas
By Nicole from United States on 28 December 2011
Where is the tune for the song because I HATE trying to keep the tune in my head so I absoulutely HATE this
By Wendy from Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The on 7 March 2012
powerful kumar I just wanted to say thank you soooo much for the time that you took with me and helping me to get harry back. Through all the phone calls and e-mails, you were there for me and helped me to get him back. God has truly blessed you with a very special gift. Never give up and always continue to follow Gods light as you have been and things will continue to look up for you. Just as you told me, God always watches the actions of every person and makes determinations on their future based upon this. Well, I did my part with the extensive negative releasing spell and kept in contact with you, probably more that I should have. I have been blessed and I am grateful that God put you in my path.You are the perfect spell caster i have never met,you can contact him with this email powerfulkumarspell@yahoo.com
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By Jack from Chicken Alaska on 13 November 2008
this was horrible the words were wrong