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“From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics”.
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | DECEMBER 29, 2021
It’s a song that titillates your memory that Xmas is here again with us; that the years is drawing to a close and that for better or worse, you have to give thanks to Almighty God that a child, Jesus the Christ, is born! But what in the world do leaping lords, french hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Well, it goes thus: “On the first day of Christmas my true love said to me”
Well, here is why as we won’t allow you to celebrate the nest Christmas without learning and understanding the hidden meaning of the words used in the song. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
• The Partridge in a Tear tree was Jesus Christ.
• Two Turtle Doves were the Old and New Testaments.
• Three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love.
• The Four Calling Birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
• The Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The Six Geese A-Laying stood for the six days of creation.
• Seven Swans A-Swimming represented the seven-fold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
• The Eight Maids A-Milking were the eight beatitudes.
• Nine Ladies Dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit –Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
• The Ten Lords A-Leaping were the Ten Commandments .
• The Eleven Pipers Piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
• The Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
This is your history lesson for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening.
Now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.
Have a Meaningful Season and sing along
Source: This article was shared at Pegasus Reporters & Guest WhatsApp forum by a member
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