We all think we know the lyrics, but when we get a few lines into singing 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' at the top of our lungs, sometimes we find ourselves desperately clutching for the right words. No fear, we're here to give you the official '12 Days of Christmas' lyrics to the song and outline a little about its history.
When was the carol '12 Days Of Christmas' first written?
The Christmas song, 'The 12 Days of Christmas' is believed to be French in origin, and probably started life as a memory game for children.
The carol '12 Days Of Christmas' was first published in England in 1780, however for nearly 130 years it went without a tune. This was remedied in 1909 by English composer Frederic Austin, who adapted the words to an old traditional folk tune.
Want to know more? Our friends at our sister title BBC Wildlife Magazine explores this carol's relationship will all things avian in The 13 birds of Christmas? Discover the birds behind the Twelve Days of Christmas carol
What are the 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.
When are the 12 days of Christmas?
The 12 days of Christmas is the period between the birth of Christ (25 December) and the arrival of the three wise men on January 6, known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day.
Head to our website for hundreds more Christmas carol lyrics.
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