The Twelve Days of Christmas Lyrics

A traditional English cumulative carol, first printed around 1780, in which each day adds a new gift — from a partridge in a pear tree up to twelve drummers drumming. Best for ages 4–9. As a cumulative song it is a memory workout: children must recall and recite the whole growing list each verse, building working memory, sequencing, and counting from one to twelve. The backward count of the gifts each round also reinforces number order in a playful way. Use fingers, picture cards, or small props for each gift to support recall, and let children take turns leading a day. For more counting-rich songs, see our [best counting songs for preschoolers](/blog/best-counting-songs-preschoolers); for more festive music, see [holiday kid songs](/blog/holiday-kid-songs).

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

(...continuing through twelve: four calling birds, five golden rings, six geese a-laying, seven swans a-swimming, eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords a-leaping, eleven pipers piping, twelve drummers drumming.)