The Meaning behind the Song the Twelve Days of Christmas
Every Christmas season people struggle with the words to the old familiar song,The Twelve Days of Christmas.Most believe that this catchy tune is something that was simply created to be lighthearted and fun, however it turns out that the meaning is not a secular one at all. Every line in the song represents something religious, and oriented toward a particular meaning for the Catholic church. During the centuries that Catholicism was outlawed in England, this song, memorized by every child, was a method of learning the catechism secretly, and without the threat of being caught with any written work in their possession.As the children sang this obviously harmless tune, they were expected to remember the true meaning. “My true love” in the refrain is actually not a person, but God. The first line which includes a partridge in a pear tree, symbolizes the nurturing and protective spirit of Christ. He is depicted as a mother partridge hiding his flock beneath his wings.Each consecutive line also has alternative meanings and symbolism. The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testament. The three French hens are Faith, Hope, and Charity. The four calling birds are the four Gospels or the four Evangelists. The five golden rings are the first five books of the Bible. The six geese a laying are the six days that it took God to create the world.The seven swans a swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The eight maids a milking are the eight beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted, Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy, Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God, Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God, Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, and Blessed are ye when they shall revile you and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The ten lords a leaping represent the Ten Commandments, and the eleven pipers piping, the eleven faithful apostles. Finally, the twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points in the Apostles’ Creed.While no one actually knows who wrote this clever, entertaining, and educational holiday tune, it is believed by many to have been the combined efforts of some Jesuit priests, whose goal it was to give children more to learn and remember than just another holiday carol.
