“The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a traditional English Christmas carol that describes a series of increasingly extravagant gifts given by a “true love” over the twelve days of Christmas, starting on December 25 and ending on January 5.
The song’s origins date back to the late 18th century, with the first known publication appearing in Mirth Without Mischief around 1780.
The lyrics are cumulative, meaning each verse builds upon the previous ones, making it a fun challenge to remember all the gifts.
The best-known version was popularized by Frederic Austin in 1909, which included memorable phrases like “five gold rings.”
Today, it remains a festive favorite, often sung during holiday celebrations.
The Twelve Days of Christmas Lyrics
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
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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 sent 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
