The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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 and a 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 sixth 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 seventh 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 eighth 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 and a partridge in a pear tree
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine lords a-leapin', 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 tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin', 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 eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin'
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 twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drummin', eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin'
Nine lords a-leapin', eight maids 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
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 and a 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 sixth 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 seventh 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 eighth 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 and a partridge in a pear tree
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine lords a-leapin', 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 tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin', 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 eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin', nine lords a-leapin'
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 twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drummin', eleven pipers pipin', ten ladies dancin'
Nine lords a-leapin', eight maids 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
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Twelve Days of Christmas Lyrics as written by Traditional
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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