There are variations to the lyrics, but the following version from 1909 is familiar to many. It begins:
On the
first day of Christmas my true love sent to me
A partridge
in a pear tree.
On the second
day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Two turtle
doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
It continues, adding one more gift until on the twelfth day the list is complete:
On the
twelfth day of Christmas
My true
love sent to me
Twelve
drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers
piping,
Ten lords
a-leaping,
Nine ladies
dancing,
Eight maids
a-milking,
Seven swans
a-swimming,
Six geese
a-laying,
Five gold
rings,
Four calling
birds,
Three French
hens,
Two turtle
doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
It is not known how the song originated but it is likely to have sprung from a memory game for children, in the same vein as ‘This is the house that Jack built’. The earliest publication of the words was in a children’s book, ‘Mirth Without Mischief’ in 1780.
It was then a chant, but in 1909 the English composer and singer Frederic Austin (1872 – 1952) adapted a folk melody to fit the words and this is the tune that is sung today.
There is a splendid version on YouTube which I attempted unsuccessfully to download . You can find it here My father played the organ and always said that playing the foot pedals was like dancing and there are many shots of the organist, William Elliott, doing just that.
On the first day of Christmas, Emily, the recipient, is touched and overwhelmed with love.
By the sixth day she is becoming exasperated and rather less effusive in her affection.
On the tenth day she has reached the end of her tether, and Edward, her true love, is now persona non grata. He does not take the hint, persisting in his efforts to please her.
Finally, Emily makes it plain that Edward is never to darken her doorstep again.
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley.
Oh Dear! Poor Emily. I wonder if several of the gifts would have been more kindly received if she had lived on a farm.
ReplyDeletePoor Emily, indeed.
DeleteSomewhere on stage I've seen a performance of the latter version and it was great comedy. I think children were used as birds and animals.
ReplyDeleteThere have been many versions, I think - all great fun.
DeleteHi Janice - great to see the Quentin Blake illustrated version - and taking the mickey out of the rhyme ... love it - thanks - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's a great favourite here.
ReplyDeleteYour last remark - very true!
ReplyDeleteSending out my Christmas e~mail next week...
DeleteAnd as l'm very much a 'sayings' person...
“It’s nice to be important...But it’s important to be nice”.
"Add life to your days, not days to your life".
"We don't stop laughing because we grow old....
We grow old because we stop laughing".
I enjoyed seeing this book you posted. I used to like the song, but now I get a bit tired of hearing it. I guess I like more religious sounding carols.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the usual loop of Christmas songs - 'Walking in a winter wonderland' and 'Last Christmas I gave you my heart' and the rest. I do like traditional Christmas carols though.
DeleteI'll have a listen to the YouTube link version in a minute.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I've always loved the carol, and traditional carols in general. I was in a charity shop earlier today, and the soundtrack of sickening Christmas songs was doing my head in!
I absolutely love Quentin Blake's illustrations! xxx
Those awful songs get in the head and go round and round . . . ghastly.
ReplyDeleteThat J J Norwich version is a hoot.
ReplyDeleteIt never loses its appeal for me:-)
ReplyDeleteHilarious! Thank you for posting that :) I will have to keep an eye open for the full version of the Norwich alternative!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great favourite of mine.
DeletePoor Emily. However, I did love this and it made me smile when I really needed cheering up.
ReplyDeleteAh. I'm glad it cheered you up. Laughter (or a gentle smile) is the best medicine.
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