12 Hilarious And Heartwarming '12 Days Of Christmas' Variations

My kids have fallen in love with the song "The 12 Days of Christmas." The obsession sent me to scouring the internet for different versions of the classic Christmas carol. And there are way more than I ever knew.

Where Did "The 12 Days of Christmas" Come From?

"The 12 Days of Christmas" is a classic English Christmas song. It was probably first published in 1780 in a children's book.

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It had been around longer than that, but its exact origin is unknown. The song's possible beginnings are in the north of England where it is sometimes called "Ten Days of Christmas."

Some think the song could have originated as a children's memory game, given the traditional repeating of each gift as the singer details the presents their true love gives.

The 12 days of Christmas that the song is referring to are the days between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6). In old European tradition, this was the Christmas season.

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While there are some regional and written variations, the gifts given in the song have remained the same.

Day 1: A partridge in a pear tree
Day 2: Two turtle doves
Day 3: Three French hens
Day 4: Four calling birds
Day 5: Five golden rings
Day 6: Six geese a-laying
Day 7: Seven swans a-swimming
Day 8: Eight maids a-milking
Day 9: Nine ladies dancing
Day 10: Ten lords a-leaping
Day 11: Eleven pipers piping
Day 12: Twelve drummers drumming

The song starts with a parade of birds, even the five rings are thought to refer to ring-necked pheasants. The 'calling bird' probably started out as "colly birds" which in Scotland means blackbirds.

The back half of the lyrics is made up of various people jumping around and playing music. Just what your sweet wants...I guess?

I gathered up 12 different versions of 'The 12 Days Of Christmas.'

There are two great versions on the list, seven good ones, three that are just OK, and one extra to make it twelve. You decide which is which.

12 Different Versions of 'The 12 Days of Christmas' Song

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

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Sure, you could decorate your Christmas tree with adorable ornaments that will sparkle and shine during festive family gatherings. Then again, you might be better off choosing ornaments that will ensure some of your family never return. We recently scoured eBay and found some of the creepiest vintage Christmas ornaments that will put a scare into your guests this holiday season.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll