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The Twelve Days of Christmas
© Virginia Marin
Dec 15, 2000
Folklore Table of ContentsThe Christmas Carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, was originally a Catechism song used by English Catholics during the years of Protestant kings and queens who were not sympathetic to their beliefs. During these times they were not allowed to openly profess their faith. The song served as a sign of recognition among believers, not unlike the Huguenot Cross, which served as a sign of belief among French Protestants, or the sign of the fish among early Christians in pagan Rome...The true love of the song refers to God. The pronoun me who is the recepient of the gifts symbolizes all baptised believers. The partridge in a pear tree speaks of Jesus Christ. Like a mother partridge who has a special relationship to her children, these believers understood the parallel between this mother bird and the sacrifice of Christ. Progress through the song. You know the tune. Lets sing! 2 turtle doves = the Old and New Testaments 3 French hens = faith, hope and charity 4 calling birds = the four Gospels 5 golden rings = the first five books of the Old Testament which give the history of mans' fall from grace in the Garden of Eden 6 geese are laying = the six days of creation 7 swans a-swimming = seven gifts of the Holy Spirit 8 maids a-milking = the eight Beatitudes 9 ladies dancing = the nine choirs of angels; also the nine Fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5) 10 lords a-leaping = the Ten Commandments 11 pipers piping = the eleven faithful apostles 12 drummers drumming = 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed As this shows, from historical religious lore, things we know in life may not always be as they appear. This is Dubh SidheEight BeatitudesTen Commandments Nine Choirs of Angels The Story Behind the Twelve Days of Christmas. Christmas Song. The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Christmas Carol Midi Collection. Great to listen to! Twelve Days of Christmas Midis. From Readers' Digest.The Imaginary Kingdom of Prester John Folklore Table of Contents
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The copyright of the article The Twelve Days of Christmas in Folklore is owned by Virginia Marin. Permission to republish The Twelve Days of Christmas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
In response to message posted by Red:
It will certainly be memorable weather-wise. We had rain and wind during the night, sleet and a ...
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In response to message posted by Dubh_Sidhe:
Virginia, You must have sent me a message by telepathy because I have some of those re ...
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In response to message posted by Red:
Yes, indeed, I read your wonderful article on the Perfect Tree. I cannot get over two tops. Tha ...
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sung that song hundreds of times in my life but never realized the history behind it. This is a most interesting article. You taught me something today and I am always eager to learn.I am glad y ...
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In response to message posted by Christina_Coruth:
Thank you, Tina. I have heard many Huguenot legends associated with the Huguenot C ...
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