It refers to the Christmas Day through January 5th. It's a religious holiday type thing.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three french hens
two turtle doves
anda partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave 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 gave to me
Five golden rings!
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 gave to me
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
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 gave to me
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
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 gave to me
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancin'
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
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 gave to me
Ten lords a-leapin'
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
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 gave to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leapin,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milkin'
Seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
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 gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leapin,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milkin'
Seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Religious significance of the song:
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Taken from: http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm
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