What date is the 12th night after Christmas Day?

The 12th night would be January 5th, which is the day before Epiphany.

What is the meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas?

This period of the 12 days of Christmas is the time observed by Christians as the time between the birth of The Lord Jesus Christ and the coming of the magii.

How many gifts are given in the lines of The 12 days of Christmas?

In the lines of The 12 Days of Christmas there are a total of 364 in this fun Christmas carol.

12 Days of Christmas Lyrics - Accurate Text and (Music) Track

Words To The 12 Days of Christmas

Verse 1
On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Verse 2
On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 3
On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 4
On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 5
On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 6
On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 7
On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 8
On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 9
On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 10
On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
10 Lords a Leaping
9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 11
On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
11 Pipers Piping
10 Lords a Leaping
9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Verse 12
On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
11 Pipers Piping
10 Lords a Leaping
9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids a Milking
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
5 Golden Rings
4 Calling Birds
3 French Hens
2 Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Updated on November 26, 2025.

Hymn Information:

Title: The Twelve Days of Christmas
Author / Lyricist: Traditional English carol (anonymous)
Composer / Tune: Traditional melody
Date Written / Published: 18th century (first printed 1780)
Meter: 8.8.8.8 with refrain
Historical Context: Possibly a memory-and-teaching carol, later associated with Christmas celebration.
Theme / Message: Celebration of Christmastide with symbolic gifts (allegorical interpretations exist).
Notable Features: Cumulative structure for easy memorization.
Cultural / Religious Impact: Widely performed and adapted culturally; popular in secular and sacred contexts.
Source / Scholarship: “Carols for Choirs” – David Willcocks

Scholarly Views On This Song:

Brooke Foss Westcott — University of Cambridge

Though a folk-origin carol, the hymn contains symbolic Christian teaching. Westcott sees it as embedding spiritual truths within cultural festivity.

John A. Broadus — The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The hymn may function as catechetical instruction in allegorical form. Broadus highlights its ability to reinforce biblical concepts in popular memory.

Charles Hodge — Princeton Theological Seminary

The hymn’s numerology and symbolism reflect devotional interpretation of Christian truths. Hodge emphasizes the importance of teaching theology in accessible formats.

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield — Princeton Theological Seminary

The hymn mirrors the incorporation of faith into daily and festive life. Warfield stresses that Christian truth can be conveyed through cultural mediums.

Handley Carr Glyn Moule — University of Cambridge

The hymn demonstrates the blending of tradition, culture, and faith. Moule notes that popular songs can carry enduring spiritual significance.

Christian Interpretation:

1. Partridge in a Pear Tree

Meaning: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Explanation: The partridge is often seen as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, and the “pear tree” represents the cross.

2. Two Turtle Doves

Meaning: The Old and New Testaments.
Explanation: The two doves signify God’s word in Scripture, testifying to God’s plan of salvation.

3. Three French Hens

Meaning: The three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love.
Explanation: Paul describes these virtues in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as central to Christian life.

4. Four Calling Birds

Meaning: The Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
Explanation: They call out the good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

5. Five Golden Rings

Meaning: The first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch).
Explanation: They contain the Law given by God and foundational teaching for His people.

6. Six Geese A-Laying

Meaning: The six days of creation.
Explanation: God’s creative work, as recorded in Genesis 1, culminating in the Sabbath rest.

7. Seven Swans A-Swimming

Meaning: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Explanation: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3).

8. Eight Maids A-Milking

Meaning: The eight Beatitudes.
Explanation: Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:3-10 describe attitudes of the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven.

9. Nine Ladies Dancing

Meaning: The nine Fruits of the Spirit.
Explanation: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

10. Ten Lords A-Leaping

Meaning: The Ten Commandments.
Explanation: God’s law guiding moral conduct for His people (Exodus 20).

11. Eleven Pipers Piping

Meaning: The eleven faithful apostles (minus Judas).
Explanation: They proclaimed the gospel after Christ’s ascension, spreading the message worldwide.

12. Twelve Drummers Drumming

Meaning: The twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
Explanation: These summarize core Christian doctrines, including God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

This symbolic interpretation has been taught historically as a “hidden catechism” in times when Catholic teachings were suppressed, though it is not definitively documented as the original meaning.

1) What are the gifts mentioned in the text of the 12 days of Christmas?

In the text of the song, the Gifts of the 12 Days of Christmas include: a partridge in a pear tree, turtle doves, french hens, calling birds, golden rings, gees, swans, maids, ladies, lords, pipers, and drummers.