is really a CRAZY song!
It is what we call a Christmas carol, and for some reason us evil teachers often teach it to our young students for their Christmas play or concert at school...just imagine, these poor kids, forced to memorize a bunch of outdated gibberish that nor they nor their parents will understand, just to make their English teacher "look good" because their class can sing the whole song from the beginning to the end. Yes, I was once that English teacher, guilty as charged. Thinking of that funny anecdote made me take a minute to analyze the lyrics of this traditional carol, and I figured I'd explain them to you AND give you a modern day version of them. So, have a few laughs and thank the English gods that modern English isn't so crazy!
On the _____ day of Christmas my true love sent to me... | Translation | Modern day comparison ๐ |
|---|---|---|
โTwelve drummers drumming | โ12 people playing the drums* | โTickets to a rock n' roll concert |
โEleven pipers piping | โ11 people playing the flute* | Tickets to a classical music concert |
โTen lords a-leaping | โ10 rich men jumping around | โTickets to a ballet show |
โNine ladies dancing | โ9 ballet dancers | โTickets to a ballet show |
โEight maids a-milking | โ8 women milking their cows | โA lot of milk |
โSeven swans a-swimming | โ7 pretty white swans* | โA boat trip |
โSix geese a-laying | 6 geese* laying eggs | โA carton of eggs |
Five golden rings | โWell that hasn't changed! | โ5 gold rings! |
โFour calling birds | 4 birds singing | A hiking trip |
โThree French hens | 3 chickens | โA new down jacket* |
Two turtle doves | 2 grey doves* | โLunch in a fancy restaurant |
โAnd a partridge in a pear tree | A strange bird in a pear tree | โDinner in a Michelin star restaurant |
What would you like to receive from your significant other? I think I would take the modern day equivalent of three french hens or the partridge in a pear tree ๐. On that note, I hope you have a lovely Christmas doing whatever you like doing on Christmas, I plan on eating good food and drinking good wine, of course in good company! Check back next week for the first blog post of 2023!
If you would like to watch a silly video with pictures to illustrate, here you go!
Glossary
carol: Christmas song
outdated: old fashioned, not modern
gibberish: nonsense, words that don't make sense
guilty as charged: an set phrase used to say that someone is at fault or responsible for an action
to figure: informal synonym for "think" or "decide"
the drums: the instrument that makes a lot of noise that you play with two sticks
flute: a metal instrument with holes that you play with your mouth and fingers
swans: big pretty white birds
geese: big angry grey birds
doves: small, pretty grey or white birds
down jacket: down is the filler made with feathers, now usually made from synthetic materials
significant other: your partner (boy/girlfriend, husband/wife)
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