by Veronica
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a English Christmas carol with some very grand presents given on each of the twelve days of Christmas.
Published in 1780 it is thought to have originated as a children's rhyme. The tune comes from a 1909 arrangement by English composer Frederic Austin, who added and changed some verses and wording, most noticeable the inclusion of the word "on".
 12 days Wiki |
On the First day of Christmas my true love sent to me
a partridge in a pear tree.
On the Second day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
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.
The subsequent verses are
4 Calling birds
5 Gold rings
6 Geese a laying
7 swans a swimming
8 maids a milking
9 ladies dancing
10 lords a leaping
11 pipers piping
12 drummers Drumming
 Mirth without mischief unknown |
The chant was first written down in approx. 1780 and written down as King Pepin's Ball .
Many people believe it was written as a catholic worship song in England while the Catholics were persecuted and anyone who was Catholic would be executed in the most dreadful manner.
I find this unlikely as the Church of England holds very similar beliefs to Roman Catholicism. The song may well have been used by Catholics as a sign of secret defiance. The beliefs in reading the Bible and such things as faith, hope and charity are not exclusively Catholic so there would be no need for there to be a secret Catholic meaning.
The gifts are reputed to have hidden meanings about the the faith.
Here are the supposed meanings.
The "true love" refers to God . The "me" refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ who died on a tree.
 12 days dreamstime.com |
2 Turtle Doves The Old and New Testament
3 French Hens Faith, Hope and Charity
4 Calling Birds the Four Gospels
5 Golden Rings The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", also called the book of Moses
6 Geese A-laying the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming the twelve apostles
 12 godmissionpossible.blogspot |
The executions for being Catholic were few and far between in England by the 1780's when the words were published . Consequently I find the idea that it was a secret Catholic chant unlikely unless of course it is an adaptation of an earlier chant used for such a thing.
You can make up your own mind.
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Comments
The evil Oliver Cromwell, so called Protector of England having executed King Charles 1, did not want any celebrations of Christmas at all. "Minced pies" were a symbol of the Nativity with the pastry being the manger, the sweet filling inside was the Christ child and a star was on top. Cromwell would not tolerate this "idolotry. " . The newly restored King Charles 2nd
restored Christmas celebrations, eating finer food, dancing , going to theatre, sports and music.
Thank you for your comment below, on Jul 14, 2017, in answer to my previous, previous-day observations and questions Jul 13, 2017.
Your answer alerting us to a time when British Isles-ers could not consume traditional minced pies intrigues me.
What did the law demand that they eat instead?
Derdriu
No we have no Christmas myths and legends in Uk as far as I know. There may have been some centuries ago but when the Brits executed and beheaded their king Charles 11 in 1649 , the new British Republican government banned by law all observances of Christmas including eating our traditional minced pies and giving gifts. Some things recover but others die out quite quickly.
Veronica, The 12 days always make me think of Italy's legend of old Bufana who was too busy making her house and yard the cleanest in the village to meet the Magi. Is there any similar legend in the U.K.?
Yes I agree totally. But I am not going to deny the possibility that it is true.
It has been an amazing discussion and I thank all participants hugely for your thoughts and opinions.
Your idea of the "more obscure fashion" could well be at the back of it .
I have to say that to me those connections seem rather feeble but maybe that's how they worked, in a more obscure fashion.
My personal feelings are that Catholic connections have been added to the song to give it a religious rather than secular meaning at Christmas.
I read both the article and the comments, and it was all very interesting :)
Only the seven sacraments suggest Catholic origins, as Protestantism only accepts two sacraments.
Legally yes, only given by the crown but anyone could seize land and just declare himself a Prince.
Hey I may do that myself , Princess Veronica of Cheadle Hulme