Have you ever wondered what does the lyrics of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” means? Well, I did! I have been singing this song since I was a little girl and I have no idea what is the relevance of turtle doves and French hens.

So I did a little research and this is what I found. All those mentioned in the lyrics where religious symbols and each has a corresponding meaning.

1. True Love – refers to God
2. Turtle Doves – refers to the Old and New Testaments
3. French Hens – refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4. Calling Birds – refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5. Golden Rings – refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6. Geese A-laying – refers to the six days of creation
7. Swans A-swimming – refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8. Maids A-milking – refers to the eight beatitudes
9. Ladies dancing – refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Lords A-leaping – refers to the Ten Commandments
11. Pipers Piping – refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12. Drummers Drumming – refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

Source: www.carols.org.uk

And now, here is the lyrics to help you remember the song:

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“The Twelve Days of Christmas”

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
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!