Garrison Keillor: The 12 Days of Christmas is the period between December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, Epiphany, when the three Wise Men arrived to present their gifts. Twelfth Night is the night of January 5, the night before Epiphany, when you can have a big feast and serve a King's Cake and ale or wine, and then you take down your decorations and Christmas is over.
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Three French hens (HENS)
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Four calling birds (BIRDS)
Three French hens (HENS)
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Five gold rings (FIVE DINGS IN DESCENDING ORDER)
Four calling birds (BIRDS)
Three French hens (HENS)
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying (GEESE, POP OF EGG)
Five gold rings (FIVE DINGS IN DESCENDING ORDER)
Four calling birds (BIRDS)
Three French hens (HENS)
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Seven swans a-swimming (SWAN, SPLASH)
Six geese a-laying (GEESE, POP OF EGG)
Five gold rings (FIVE DINGS IN DESCENDING ORDER)
Four calling birds (BIRDS)
Three French hens (HENS)
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming (DRUMS)
Eleven pipers piping (BAGPIPE)
Ten lords a-leaping (WHEE)
Nine ladies waiting (YAWN)
Eight maids a-milking (COW)
Seven swans a-swimming (SWAN, SPLASH)
Six geese a-laying (GEESE, POP OF EGG)
Five gold rings (FIVE DINGS IN DESCENDING ORDER)
Four calling birds (BIRDS)
Three French hens (HENS)
Two turtle doves (DOVES)
And a partridge in a pear tree. (PARTRIDGE)