Can they leave nuthin' alone ?

There I was the other day, going about my business in a mild
and inoffensive way when I came across this !


"There is one Christmas song that has always baffled me. 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?


This week, 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 th e carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.


-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Chris t.


-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 sevenfold 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 ele ven fa ithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' 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 Chris tmas Carol...so p ass it on if you wish.'"


It may even be true but I think it's just more revisionist
twaddle from our favourite Neo-Cons.
However, it got me thinking about the song itself and what
the words might really mean, so here goes ;

The Partridge in the tree is so obviously a Turkey that there
can be no dispute.

The 2 Turtle Doves have to be the Parents.

Three French Hens would then be their Kids anxiously awaiting
the great day.

Four Calling Birds will then be the much dreaded visit of the
In-laws.

Five Gold ( Red ) Rings demonstrate the unfortunate result
of an ill-advised visit to McDonalds during a shopping trip.

Six Lordly Geese a-milking............. come on folks,
help me out here.....................