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 the 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: Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
5: Five golden righs recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6: Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7: Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit.
* Prophsey
*Serving
*Teaching
*Exhortation
*Contribution
*Leadership
*Mercy
8: 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
*Self Control
10: Ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments
11: Eleven pipers piping stood for the 11 faithful disciples
12: Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed
Now you know how this carol came into being. Or at least one story of how it came into being.
