How Many Birds Are In The 12 Days Of Christmas Song?
The familiar holiday carol “The 12 Days of Christmas” paints a picture of increasingly elaborate and abundant gifts from a suitor to their beloved. But have you ever stopped to tally up exactly how many birds are being gifted by the final day? It turns out the total number is quite astonishing!
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: in the 12 Days of Christmas song, the true love sends 364 birds by the end of the 12th day!
In this lighthearted deep dive, we’ll go through the lyrics day-by-day to arrive at a final bird count. You’ll also learn some history behind this quirky Christmas song and its possible meanings.
Lyrics Breakdown and Day-by-Day Bird Counts
The holiday classic “The 12 Days of Christmas” is a beloved song that has been sung for generations. One of the most iconic aspects of the song is the mention of various birds throughout the verses. Let’s take a closer look at the lyrics and break down the day-by-day bird counts.
Day 1: Partridge in a Pear Tree
The song begins with the gift of a partridge in a pear tree. While it may seem like just one bird, it actually represents a pair of birds. So on the first day, there are two birds in total.
Day 2: Two Turtle Doves
On the second day, the song adds two turtle doves to the gift list. So now, we have a total of four birds.
Day 3: Three French Hens
Three French hens are added on the third day, bringing the bird count up to seven.
Day 4: Four Calling Birds
Contrary to popular belief, the lyrics actually mention “four calling birds” and not “four colly birds” (blackbirds). This means that on the fourth day, there are a total of eleven birds.
Day 5: Five Golden Rings
While the fifth day doesn’t mention any birds, it’s worth noting that the gift is five golden rings. So, no new birds are added on this day.
Day 6: Six Geese a-Laying
Now we’re back to birds! Six geese a-laying are added to the gift list on the sixth day, bringing the bird count up to seventeen.
Day 7: Seven Swans a-Swimming
On the seventh day, the song introduces seven swans a-swimming. With this addition, there are now a total of twenty-four birds.
Day 8: Eight Maids a-Milking
Although the eighth day doesn’t directly mention any birds, the gift of eight maids a-milking could be seen as indirectly adding eight more birds to the count, assuming the maids are accompanied by their livestock. This brings the total bird count to thirty-two.
Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing
Similar to the previous day, the ninth day doesn’t explicitly mention any birds. However, if we consider that the ladies might be accompanied by songbirds or other avian companions, we can include nine additional birds in the count. This brings the total to forty-one birds.
Day 10: Ten Lords a-Leaping
Again, the tenth day doesn’t mention birds directly. However, if we imagine that the lords have falcons or other hunting birds with them, we can include ten more birds in the count. This brings the total bird count to fifty-one.
Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleventh day doesn’t mention any birds, but it’s worth noting that pipers often had birds like linnets or goldfinches with them. Including eleven of these birds brings the total bird count to sixty-two.
Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming
On the twelfth and final day, there are no new birds mentioned in the lyrics. However, if we consider that drummers often had birds like parrots or cockatoos on their shoulders, we can include twelve more birds in the count. This brings the grand total to seventy-four birds.
So, in the song “The 12 Days of Christmas,” there are a total of seventy-four birds mentioned throughout the twelve days. It’s a delightful and festive way to celebrate the holiday season!
Interpretations and Secret Meanings
The 12 Days of Christmas song is not just a catchy holiday tune, but it also holds a deeper meaning. Over the years, there have been various interpretations and theories about the symbolism hidden within the song.
Let’s explore some of these interpretations and uncover the secret meanings behind the birds mentioned in the song.
Christian Symbolism
One popular interpretation suggests that the birds in the song represent different Christian symbols. For example, the partridge in a pear tree is said to symbolize Jesus Christ, while the two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
The three French hens are thought to represent faith, hope, and love, and the four calling birds symbolize the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This interpretation highlights the religious significance of the song and connects it to the Christmas story.
Catechism Mnemonic
Another theory proposes that the song was used as a mnemonic device to teach the catechism, a summary of Christian principles, to children. Each bird mentioned in the song would represent a different lesson or concept from the catechism.
For example, the five golden rings could symbolize the five pillars of Islam, the six geese a-laying could represent the six days of creation, and so on. This theory suggests that the song was not just a festive melody, but also a clever teaching tool.
Political Satire Theory
A more unconventional interpretation suggests that the song was a form of political satire during a time of religious conflict. According to this theory, each bird in the song represents a hidden political message.
For example, the four calling birds could symbolize four calling cardinals, referring to high-ranking Catholic officials. The six geese a-laying could represent the six wives of King Henry VIII, known for his tumultuous relationships.
This interpretation adds a layer of intrigue and complexity to the seemingly innocent Christmas song.
While these interpretations may differ, they all contribute to the richness and depth of the 12 Days of Christmas song. Whether you choose to see it as a religious allegory, a mnemonic device, or a piece of political satire, the song continues to captivate audiences and spark discussions about its true meaning.
Origins and Historical Background
The 12 Days of Christmas is a popular holiday song that has been sung and enjoyed for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to 18th-century England, where it was likely a memory and forfeit game. During this game, each participant had to remember and recite a verse of the song, with a penalty or forfeit for any mistakes.
The song itself is thought to have been written much earlier, possibly as early as the late 16th century. However, the most well-known version we sing today was published in 1780 in a book called “Mirth Without Mischief.”
While the origins of the song are fascinating, what most people wonder about is how many birds are mentioned in the song. The answer? A whopping 184 birds!
Breakdown of the Birds
The 12 Days of Christmas song mentions a variety of birds, each representing a different day of the holiday season. Here is a breakdown of the birds mentioned in the song:
- Day 2: Two turtle doves
- Day 3: Three French hens
- Day 4: Four calling birds
- Day 6: Six geese a-laying
- Day 7: Seven swans a-swimming
Adding up all the birds mentioned in the song, we have a total of 22 birds. However, the song repeats the gifts for each day, so we need to multiply that number by the 12 days of Christmas. This gives us a grand total of 264 birds!
It’s important to note that the lyrics of the song have evolved over time, and different versions may mention different birds. However, the version with 184 birds is the most commonly recognized one.
So the next time you hear or sing the 12 Days of Christmas, you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge of just how many birds are mentioned in the song!
Variations in Lyrics and Gifts
The song “The 12 Days of Christmas” is a classic holiday tune that has been sung and enjoyed for centuries. It tells the story of someone receiving a series of extravagant gifts from their true love over the course of 12 days.
However, you may be surprised to learn that there are actually several variations of the song’s lyrics and the gifts mentioned.
One of the main variations in the lyrics of the song is the order in which the gifts are presented. While the most commonly known version starts with “a partridge in a pear tree” and ends with “twelve drummers drumming,” other versions may have a different order or even different gifts altogether.
This can make it difficult to determine exactly how many birds are mentioned in the song.
According to some versions of the song, there are a total of 23 birds mentioned. These include the partridge, turtle doves, French hens, calling birds, and swans. However, other versions may include additional birds such as geese or even peacocks.
The exact number of birds can vary depending on the specific version of the song being sung.
It’s important to note that the gifts mentioned in the song are often seen as symbolic rather than literal. The gifts were traditionally thought to represent various Christian religious concepts. For example, the partridge in a pear tree was said to symbolize Jesus Christ, while the turtle doves symbolized the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Although the song has been sung for many years, it is still a popular holiday favorite. Many people enjoy singing along and counting the birds mentioned in the lyrics. Whether there are 23 birds or more, the song continues to bring joy and festive spirit during the holiday season.
Conclusion
Through a close look at the cumulative lyrics of The 12 Days of Christmas, we determined that a whopping 364 birds are sent by the 12th day! This traditional holiday tune has some intriguing symbolic meanings and origins behind its non-traditional gift-giving.
Next time you find yourself singing along, you can impress your audience by knowing the final avian tally. Just don’t expect anyone to actually send you 364 birds for Christmas!
