Christmas - Twelve days of Christmas
Song Lyrics & Words
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.
Alternative Lyrics & Words
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 This Song
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'.
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.
Watch a Video of the Song
Comments (39)
By Hi in Ga on 17 November 2008
this would not even show up!
By Donna in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in Fayetteville, U.s.a on 7 December 2008
i love this song. it just brings family together
By Just The Man in Fayetteville, U.s.a on 7 December 2008
the words in this site were not correct, you might wanna fix that man.
By David in Eugene on 7 December 2008
you r all stupid.......it's GOLD! rings.
By Kyleigh & Kobie in *c* Town Ga on 8 December 2008
This site is awful and the lyrics are all messed up? How could you!
By Chris + Aidan in Telford on 9 December 2008
wat a minted song were all singing!
By Shajuan in Leesville Sc on 10 December 2008
i really luv thiz song
By John in 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 in Tennise on 13 December 2008
Hi I am Miley Jacobs you rock my socks this song was great.
By Morgane in 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 in England,luton on 19 December 2008
this song was great but id prefure no music but the lyrics were great
By Eden in Guernsey on 19 December 2008
love this version of the song lmao
By Hannah Montana in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 Bob in San Francisco, California on 2 January 2009
This video rocks!
By Thomas in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in Sc Mb on 5 December 2009
i didnt know what it ment that is so awesome
By Edwin in Seaside Ca on 7 December 2009
your song is so beautiful it makes me want to cry
By Nicole in 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 in Lancs on 10 December 2009
Four Colly Birds? What the hell? It's CALLING BIRDS. Calling. *rolls eyes*
By Ahmed in Sheffield on 15 December 2009
I love EID
By Bailey& Kim in Californa on 17 December 2009
this short verson is pretty cool.!
By Amirah Muhammad in 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 Crystal in Main on 23 December 2009
this is full of crap!
By Nylah in Carrollton,goergia on 7 January 2010
i like you thomas and davis
By Beyonce in Hollywood on 6 February 2010
I love this song i always listen to it
By Beyoce14 in Las Vagas on 26 February 2010
I love this song and JZ opps i did not mean to say that dont put this in plublic omg i think in need to sing about this...... all the single ladies now put your hands up... up in the club just broke up im doing my own littel thang up on him he up on me now yhat i got that off my mind bye bye yo! and did i mention im beyonce:> thats asmile i just put there yo im out
By Kikisister123 in New York on 31 March 2010
this waz so not right it wasnt the right words yall need 2 get mit 2 get her dis waaaz jus a mess im dont no wat 2say well i giv yall a thumbs down boooooooooooooooo ,......... who's wit me
By S.d. in Waycross on 11 April 2010
I love the song and the meaning of the words maybe the rest of ya'll are not humans
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Inappropriate song or video? Please let us know so that we can keep BusSongs safe & fun.
This song has been printed from BusSongs.com.
By Jack in Chicken Alaska on 13 November 2008
this was horrible the words were wrong