Today, I found out.
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..
1 - The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
2 - Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3 - Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4 - The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5 - The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6 - The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7 - Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8 - The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9 - Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
10 - The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
11 - The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12 - The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol .
Nice to know the meaning! For your information, please.
