Twelve Days Of Christmas

This was originally a 'forfeit song' and probably dates back to the Middle Ages. People took it in turns to sing a verse, adding a line each time. If they made a mistake they paid a forfeit. However, you will find an alternative history of this carol if you take the hyperlink at the bottom of this page

1. On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.

2. On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me:
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Back to the Christmas Carols listing

Take this link to more information on the history of this carol