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We hear it every Christmas and if you listen closely you may even win a prize. This has been a common song for a radio station to ask the words for in order for you to win a gift of some sort. So what are those words that we can never seem to remember and what do they mean?

12 Drummers drumming

11 Piper’s piping

10 Lord’s a leaping

9   Ladies dancing

8  Maid’s a milking

7  Swan’s a swimming

6  Geese a laying

5  Golden rings

4  Calling birds

3  French hens

2  Turtle doves

1  Partridge in a pair tree

No one knows for sure when the song was first performed. Perhaps around the 16th century. What we do know is that is an extremely popular old english christmas carol that doesn’t seem to lose any of its flair year after year. You have to admit the song sounds a little silly. What does Lord’s a leaping mean anyway? You may be surprised to learn that the song actually does has significant spiritual meaning. Each day stands for something:

1 True Love: God
2 Turtle Doves: Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens: Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds: the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings: the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying: the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming: seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking: eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing: nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping: ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping: eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming: twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

Maybe this song will make a little more sense this year

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