The song is a cumulative song, with each verse building upon the previous verse.  The first theory relates the song to a time of religious persecution when Catholics were prohibited from practicing their faith in England.  The twelve days of Christmas are the 12 days between Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, Jan. 6^th.

According to this tenet, the song was written as a type of secret catechism to help Christians learn when it was dangerous to put anything relating to Catholicism in writing.  Each item in the song symbolizes a religious truth as follows:

Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus

2 Turtle Doves = Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity

4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first 5 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 8 Beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = The Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping = The 11 faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = The 12 pts. of doctrine in The Apostles’ Creed

The “true love” in the song refers to God, and “me” refers to all Christians.

Others feel that The Twelve Days of Christmas dates back to the book “Mirth without Mischief”, published in 1780.  In the book they describe The Twelve Days of Christmas as a “memory and forfeits game” played by children of that era.  In that game, the leader recited the first verse, the next child the second and so on until someone missed their verse and had to pay a type of penalty.  According to this explanation, The Twelve Days of Christmas was a part of celebrations called “12^th night parties” that were popular during the Christmas season.

Regardless of the true origin of The Twelve Days of Christmas, it remains a popular song to this day.

This seems to be getting more and mroe popular.

Another video with Christmas light synchronized to the song.

I wonder what dad has to say about this.

I know I already posted this song, but this one has the actual video footage that I haven’t been able to find anywhere!

Enjoy!

2. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole

3. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

4. Here Comes Santa Claus – Gene Autry

5. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

6. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Bruce Springsteen

7. Frosty the Snowman – Gene Autry

8. It’s Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas – Perry Como & The Fontaine Sisters

9. Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano

10. Please Come Home For Christmas – Charles Brown

Everyone knows Nate Cole King, and everyone knows this song (or should)

A great uplifting Christmas song. While those traditional Christmas songs can be nice, sometimes you want to move a little when you’re in ther Christmas spirit.