In this previous post, CN- commented about the origin of the 12 Days of Christmas song…

hey jel, actually this song has a very interesting origin. i cant remember much but it goes something like this: a particular nation wasnt allowed to celebrate christmas and so they came up with this special xmas song. if u observe the lyrics, they may seem senseless but truth is that each line actually holds a symbolic meaning abt the advent season and the christianity belief. i only remember that the “partridge” actually symbolizes JESUS…

I decided to research about it, and found that there was indeed a story circulating the internet which says that this song was written in England as one the “cathechism songs” to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith as a memory aid during the times of persecution when Catholics were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law - private or public.

It was claimed that the song was symbolic and created as a coded reference to important articles of the Christian faith.

1 Patridge = Jesus
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6 Geese a-Laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans a-Swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, 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 points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

This site at snopes.com says that it’s an urban legend and gives the reasons behind this confusion. Their arguments seem pretty logical to me, and that it is possible that “The 12 Days of Christmas” has been confused with a song called “A New Dial/In Those Tweleve Days” which dates back to 1625, assigning religious meanings to each of the 12 days of Christmas, but not used for the purpose of teaching a catechism.

The song goes…


What are they that are but one?
We have one God alone
In heaven above sits on His throne.

What are they which are by two?
Two testaments, the old and new,
We do acknowledge to be true.

What are they which are but three?
Three persons in the Trinity
Which make one God in unity.

What are they which are but four
Four sweet Evangelists there are,
Christ’s birth, life, death which do declare.

What are they which are but five?
Five senses, like five kings, maintain
In every man a several reign.

What are they which are but six?
Six days to labor is not wrong,
For God himself did work so long.

What are they which are but seven?
Seven liberal arts hath God sent down
With divine skill man’s soul to crown.

What are they which are but eight?
Eight Beatitudes are there given
Use them right and go to heaven.

What are they which are but nine?
Nine Muses, like the heaven’s nine spheres,
With sacred tunes entice our ears.

What are they which are but ten?
Ten statutes God to Moses gave
Which, kept or broke, do spill or save.

What are they which are but eleven?
Eleven thousand virgins did partake
And suffered death for Jesus’ sake.

What are they which are but twelve?
Twelve are attending on God’s son;
Twelve make our creed. The Dial’s done.

Anyway, to read the full text, click HERE