Every Christmas season, the joyous carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ resurfaces, often prompting a familiar struggle to recall all the lyrics beyond the famous ‘Five Gold Rings’. This guide provides a helpful overview of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, complete with its full lyrics and background.
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is a beloved and spirited Christmas carol that enumerates the twelve days of the Christmas season. These twelve days traditionally begin on Christmas Day and extend until January 5th, the day before Epiphany. Each of the twelve days is associated with a progressively grander gift, starting with the humble ‘partridge in a pear tree’ and culminating in the boisterous ‘twelve drummers drumming’.
This traditional English melody has roots stretching back to the 18th century, with some historians suggesting possible French origins. The most widely recognized version today comes from Frederic Austin, an English composer who, in 1909, arranged the lyrics and added distinctive musical elements, including the elongated and memorable “five go-old rings”.
The carol’s structure is cumulative, meaning each verse builds upon the previous ones, adding a new gift to the growing list, making it a fun and engaging singalong for all ages.
Full Lyrics to ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’
On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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 gave 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.
