Regardless of where you are, you will always remember the Christmas holidays. Even if you are not a religious Christian, you will take a moment of silence to give respect to this season of kindness and love. It has been part of every Christmas to sing yuletide carols. Unlike the usual music that we hear every day, Christmas songs are considered as unforgettable classics of our times. Thus, the origin of each music composition would always interest us. One of these traditional Christmas carols is "The Twelve Days of Christmas". You can listen to this Christmas carol, in it entirety on internet radio.
When King Henry VIII began Protestantism in England, Catholics were banned from professing their own religious beliefs. Not only was it considered irreverent but also it was treated as a criminal offense. Even the possession of the Bible was handled with violence. Nevertheless, Catholics bravely yet silently worshipped incognito.
During these difficult days for Catholics, The Twelve Days of Christmas was written. At first, it was believed to be a hidden way for Catholics to edify their children, however no evidence was presented to validate this accusation, so even the Protestants began to add it to their Christmas repertoire. The carol was made carefully to contain symbols that signified certain meanings. The lyrics were carefully crafted to prevent suspicion of the Catholics that delighted in it.
Christmas is celebrated across the globe within 12 days. It commences on Christmas day and terminates on January 6, the day of Epiphany. So let's reveal the coded meaning of the lyrics that tricked the Protestant king and his loyal entourage.
In the song God was referred to as the "true love" while the Catholic devotes were referred to as the singer ("me"). The song goes, On the first day of Christmas my true love game to me?. You can listen to these lyrics on free online music .
1. A "partridge in a pear tree"this line refers to Jesus who gave his life for us by dying on the cross. A partridge was commonly used those days to refer to a divine king.
2. "Two turtle doves"this line refers to the two testaments of the Bible, the Old and the New Testaments while doves represent peace.
3. "Three French hens", this is a reference to the three gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit, namely, faith, love, and hope. Sometimes this line can also refer to the Holy Trinity, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
4. "Four calling birds", this is a reference to the four Gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
5. "Five golden rings", this line refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, that were written by Moses.
6. "Six geese a-laying", this is a reference to the number of days it took God to create the earth.
7. "Seven swans a swimming", is a reference to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8. "Eight maids a milking"refers to the teachings of Jesus, the eight Beatitudes.
9. "Nine ladies dancing"refers to the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. "Ten lords a leaping" refers to the Bible's Ten Commandments as delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai.
11. "Eleven pipers piping"refers to Jesus' faithful disciples
12. "Twelve drummers drumming"refers to the twelve articles that are part of the Apostle's creed.
We hope this will give you a deeper understanding, the next time that you listen to this Christmas carol.
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