Thinking about the ’12 Days’ at Christmas

There are so many Christmas hymns and carols that it can be difficult to choose a favorite. But one of my favorite songs has been the “12 Days of Christmas” despite the fact that I never can remember all the gifts described. At least, not in order, which sort of ruins the piece.

Actually, the song’s background is that the 12 days historically mark the span between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the Magi, the three wise men, who recognized Him as the Son of God during the Epiphany on January 6. The musical rendering originated in England in the late 18th century, first appearing in a 1780 children’s book as a memory game. (I should take a lesson.)

What has intrigued me for years is wondering about the total gift-giving situation. That is because the lyrics show that the total number of each gift during 12 days is astonishing. I can’t help it; I’m extremely literal. Or, as some have claimed, maybe I should stay away from the spiked eggnog. Anyway, here is a compilation of the overall total said sent by a “true love.”

Partridges in a pear tree, 12; turtle doves, 22; French hens, 30; calling birds (probably crows), 36; gold rings, 40; geese a-laying, 42; swans a-swimming, 42. Apparently the composer then thought it would be good to introduce some humans into the lyrics, so we see:

Maids a-milking, 40; ladies (women of the aristocracy) dancing, 36; lords (male members of English nobility) a-leaping, 30; pipers piping, 22; drummers drumming, 12. Total gifts, 364. I’m sure that the music of all that drumming and piping would be tough to hear. And with 36 ladies, but only 30 lords and such -- well, it must have been like musical chairs. But the maids likely provided plenty of milk and there were eggs from the geese.

Just try to imagine what sort of true love would plop all that under the Christmas tree. Impossible. So my guess is that the gifts were bestowed upon a truly rich family such as the Duke of Buccleuch, who had 240,000 acres, or the Wentworth Woodhouse country estate with more than 300 rooms (and hopefully some outdoors space). 

Overall, at least the host could get some cash with the gold rings, but it sounds like a huge mess with birds flitting about and all the noise plus folks wandering about looking for a place to sleep, an outhouse and food. OK, not on the scale of two of the largest outdoor concerts in U.S. history like Woodstock in 1969 that had 400,000 attendees, or Summer Jam at Watkins Glen in 1973 as potentially the largest gathering recorded with 600,000 present.

I think that from now on I’ll stick to “Oh Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and many other favorites. And I’m going to stay away from those lords a-leaping but will welcome the infant Lord on December 25 and probably sing “Happy Birthday.”