Birds

how many birds are in the 12 days of christmas


How Many Birds Are in the 12 Days of Christmas?

Christmas carols are often filled with creativity and imagery, and “The 12 Days of Christmas” is a classic song that may have you wondering just how many birds are in it?

The twelve days being referred to in the song start on Christmas Day and end on the day of the Epiphany, January 5th. This brings us to a total of 180 birds in the song!

Where Do the Birds Come From?

The birds featured in the song appear at different points in the lyrics:

  • One Partridge in a Pear Tree
  • Two Turtle Doves
  • Three French Hens
  • Four Calling Birds
  • Five Gold Rings
  • Six Geese a-Laying
  • Seven Swans a-Swimming
  • Eight Maids a-Milking
  • Nine Ladies Dancing
  • Ten Lords a-Leaping
  • Eleven Pipers Piping
  • Twelve Drummers Drumming

So, in total, the song features 180 birds, with partridges and doves being the most represented species.

The History Behind the Song

The history behind the song is a bit hazy. It is believed that the original version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” was written in England in the 17th century, around 1612. The original lyrics are rumored to have been created as a kind of memory game or coded message. That said, no one really knows how the birds ended up being a part of the song’s lyrics. Some believe they might have been included as part of a message that was to be sent to a loved one during a time of political unrest in England.

In any case, “The 12 Days of Christmas” is a fun holiday song that has been around for centuries. Each time you listen to it, take a moment to pause and count the birds – there are 180 of them in total!

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