A Song And A Christmas Tree (The Twelve Days Of Christmas)
Year: 1780
Written By: Unknown
'A Song And A Christmas Tree' has of course emanated from the
traditional carol known as 'The 12 Days of Christmas'. It is
generally accepted that the song was written in France in the
sixteenth century and made its way across to England some time
later. Each of the 12 days are twinned with a gift, thought to be a
euphemism for a more religious symbol. So 'two turtle doves'
translates into 'the old and new testaments' and 'ten lords
a-leaping' would be 'the Ten Commandments'.
'The 12 Days of Christmas' has been recorded widely over the
years, most notably by the following artists:
1951 - Although the song can get a tad
repetitive, Burl Ives somehow masked that fact by virtue of his
kindly vocals and a minimalist but always wondrous musical
backdrop.
1963 - Andy Williams, much like Bing
Crosby, could reasonably expect to be labeled Mr. Christmas having
recorded 8 seasonal albums during his career. 'A Song And A
Christmas Tree (The Twelve Days of Christmas)' appeared on his very
first one, 'The Andy Williams Christmas Album', way back in 1963.
The album was a big seller and it's easy to see why given Williams'
velvet tones which made for perfect fireside company.
1968 - Frank Sinatra gathered his family (Nancy,
Tina and Frank Jr.) around him for 'The Sinatra Family Wish You A
Merry Christmas'. Again, this is a superior version of this old
carol as the gallery of voices give each iteration a surprising
twist.
1978 - Donny and Marie Osmond recorded a version
of 'The 12 Days of Christmas' for their Christmas TV special. Of
course it is meant to be fun and it is, but not even the might of
Donny can stop this from sounding horribly date.
1979 - John Denver and the Muppet's ramped up the
antics for their 'A Christmas Together' album. Fozzie, Gonzo,
Kermit, Rowlf, Statler/Waldorf, Denver et al. do a wonderful job
with only Miss Piggy letting the side down with her incessant whine
(we're prepared for a surprise karate chop!).
1997 - Classical singer Roger Whitaker did a
particularly jaunty take for his 'Happy Holidays' album, giving the
song the kick up the pants it required in the process.
1998 - Natalie Cole (daughter of Christmas legend
Nat King Cole) twinned up with the London Symphony Orchestra for a
jazzy spectacular which reworked the song, ingeniously breathing
new life into the aging classic including the addition of several
new lines. Really memorable stuff.
2006 - Heavy metal band Twister Sister recorded a
parody of the old chestnut called 'A Heavy Metal Christmas'. The
gifts included 12 silver crosses, 11 black mascaras, 10 pairs of
platforms, 9 tattered t-shirts and a tattoo of Ozzy! And with that
our dark clothed friends joined the Christmas party!
A Song And A Christmas Tree (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!
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