I had an Epiphany today.....

georgieporgy

At Mass today i picked upon an interesting little item concerning the popular christmas season song "The 12 days of Christmas". I'm sure some readers here will also find it gives one reason to ponder. I'll quote the article in full;

the 12 days of christmas was published in England at a time when Catholicism was repressed. The song had a double meaning. Hidden in the popular lyrics was a catechism for the children to learn their faith. 'My true love gave to me' is code for the gift God gave us in baptism. The 'partridge in a pear tree' is Jesus. Legend says the 2 turtle doves are the old and new testaments. Three French hens are the virtues of faith hope and charity. The four calling birds are the 4 Gospels; the five golden rings are the first five books of the old testament. The geese are the 6 days of creation, swans are the 7 sacraments, and the maids are the 8 beatitudes. Ladies dancing are the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit, ten lords a leaping are the 10 Commandments. The pipers are the 11 faithful apostles, and the drummers are the 12 points in the Apostles' Creed.

I guess necessity is indeed the mother of invention

Plowman

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Splendour

Reminds me of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsCiaxPhtVY

georgieporgy

Plowman wrote: »

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i guess that would be the idea of a secret code.

would you like to have snow white and the seven dwarfs explained? it's even better.

aceygray

Nice story, but it's not true. More info on snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/12days.asp

strobe

georgieporgy wrote: »

would you like to have snow white and the seven dwarfs explained? it's even better.

What's the Snow White one man?

georgieporgy

very briefly, snow white is the soul (after baptism) the 7 dwarfs are the 7 sacraments, and the prince at the end of the story is Jesus. snow white and the prince lived happily ever after if I remember it correctly.

As for the 12 days song I have no idea if the report I copied is true or false. I wasn't completely convinced by the snopes explanation as it too lacked references. can any of our resident historians shed more light on it?

strobe

georgieporgy wrote: »

As for the 12 days song I have no idea if the report I copied is true or false. I wasn't completely convinced by the snopes explanation as it too lacked references. can any of our resident historians shed more light on it?

The One Show on BBC1 investigated it in the run up to Christmas. They talked to musical experts and historians and things and they concluded the same as Snopes. That there was no evidence for the Catholic thing. The one guy I remember went along with the explanation that it was more than likely a party game.

Very briefly, snow white is the soul (after baptism) the 7 dwarfs are the 7 sacraments, and the prince at the end of the story is Jesus. snow white and the prince lived happily ever after if I remember it correctly.

That's an interesting interpretation alright but I wouldn't be that convinced. Can you remember where you read the Christian interpretation?

Fanny Cradock

It's a interesting story (the 12 days of Christmas) - but I'm inclined to believe it isn't true.

georgieporgy

The snow white interpretation is something I remember hearing on children's bedtime stories (on tape) that I used to play for my kids 30 years ago.