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 membersof their church. Each element in the carl has a code word for a relgious reality
that the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
The two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
The three French hens stood for faith, hope, and love.
The four calling birds were the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 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.
The seven swans a-swimming represented teh sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation,
Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
The 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 sybolized teh twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
