Saturday, December 24, 2011

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

It is time for my annual Twelve Days of Christmas, a musical ditty that has fascinated me since childhood. In some ways it is a boring round type song, but the gifts fascinate me, especially so many birds; yet the 8th round introduces humans with maids a-milking and a large mammal-cows.

Another audio-visual appears at the end of this post.



The Twelve Days of Christmas (12 Days of Christmas)

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.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent 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 sent 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 sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
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 sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
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 sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
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 sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
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 sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
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 sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
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 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 golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

There are a few variations in the rounds, i.e., calling birds are colly birds in some versions; round 10-12 may be rearranged. Numerous parodies have also been penned, as well as letters from recipient of true love's gifts.
So this year I thought I dream up a similar ditty for the unique state, Arkansas, in which I live. Instead of repetition, I'll list the twelve gifts.

1. One eagle nesting in a pin-oak tree.
2. Two wood-peckers
3. Three wild turkey hens
4. Four mourning doves
5. Five golden fishing lures
6. Six leghorns a-laying
7. Seven bass a-swimming
8. Eight fiddlers a-fiddling
9. Nine Arkies a-clogging
10. Ten hunters of deer a-leaping
11. Eleven Arkies' Dulcimers a-strumming
12. Twelve festival -participants with mobile outhouses  a-parading

I would add another: American Flags a-flying and Patriots a-serving. I have lived several places and see more flags, at least where I am living, than any other place. As a whole we are proud to be Americans, yet very independent in thinking. yet respectful of our differences--not unlike many other areas of our country. With sorrow , deepest respect, and unspeakable thankfulnesss near wordless, we have buried our share of patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice; also those who continue to served, and those who made it a career and retired in service to our country.

I know-somewhat amatuerish--I bet Jinksy of Napple Notes could whip out a better rendition in far less time.

An interesting fact I heard recently i'n this overtly political season with resounding overtures drowning out the reason for the season:'  Of our entire US population, 97% have never run for office to serve their fellow citizens. I am pleased to have been part of the 3%. However, I fully understand why so few choose public service.



Audio-Visual - YOU TUBE:
#1- Mormon Tabernacle Choir; #2 - John Denver and The Muppets


8 comments:

faye said...

Happy Holidays !!
I love Christmas parodies... the
cajun and red-neck versions especially.

Give Luckie an extra special treat
this holiday... maybe a loaf of bread
of her own....

Wishing you good health and happiness

hugs
faye

Rosaria Williams said...

Happy Holidays!

Arkansas Patti said...

I think I like your version better.
Thank you for doing your part, you are right, not many do.
Have a wonderful day and coming year.

Pat - Arkansas said...

A Happy Christmas to you, Hubs, and Luckie. I am very thankful for the twelve days of Christmas -- cards mailed at the last minute still have a chance to arrive sometime during that period! :)

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Patti says it all I like your version myself.
Just wanted to come by and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Love
Maggie

Lorna said...

Merry Christmas---hope you've had a good day; we did, filled with family, food and music

Dimple said...

When I was a young teen, a rendition of this song used "A Japanese transistor radio" as the first gift. I will never forget!

I like your Arkansas version a lot!

You were partly right about "number 300" referring to how many posts I have up, but it is 300 total in 32 months, not just the last year! I though using that as the title was better than saying Merry Christmas twice...

CHERI said...

THANKS so much for commenting on my long-lost blog:) It was wonderful hearing from you. I love the idea about adopting a family. There are so many in need these days. I also agree with you about gifts between you & your hubby. We sort of do the same thing. We give each other a list of ideas. Beats the heck out of getting things you don't like or don't want! Love your video! I look forward to catching back up with everyone....and thanks for the advice. I think I burned myself out on blogging by trying to read & comment on too many while at the same time trying to keep mine afloat. I always go overboard with things I'm afraid...need to learn moderation. Hope you and yours all have a very blessed New Year!