THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
(Traditional, as published in The Monthly Chronicle of North-Country Lore and Legend, 1888)
The first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge on a pear tree.
The second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, two turtle doves, and
A partridge on a pear tree.
The fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five gold rings, four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying, five gold rings,
Four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings, four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, five gold rings,
Four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Nine drummers drumming, eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings, four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Ten pipers piping, nine drummers drumming.
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, five gold rings,
Four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eleven ladies dancing, ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming, eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings, four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
The twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Twelve lords a-leaping, eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers playing, nine drummers drumming,
Eights maids-a-milking, seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, five gold rings,
Four colly birds, three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and a partridge on a pear tree.
