The 37 Days of Christmas, a Yultide Cumulative Carol Challenge
Cineviews
in England at various times have ranged from as far as four weeks before
Christmas to even Feb. 2 (Candlemas), I have for the pure Christmas-spirited
fun of it taken pen in hand and, rearranging a few of Days 13-25 verses of "The
25 Days of Christmas," I believe I have come up with the ultimate cumulative
carol to date: "The 37 Days of Christmas" covering Dec. 1 through Jan. 6. So
the imagery in the new verses that I created for this song are not meant to be
specific to any one century in British history, but rather a representative
sampling of items from medieval times through the 18th century.
" T H E 3 7 D A Y S O F C H R I S T M A S "
The Ultimate Cumulative Carol Challenge celebrating 37 days of the advent,
arrival and passage of the Christmas Season, Dec. 1 through Jan. 6. (Epiphany:
Three Kings Day)
[This carol contains 25 of the original days from "The 25 Days of Christmas" by
the anonymous court composer of King Henry VIII along with twelve new ones
(Days 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 34, & 37) by James William King
(cine...@aol.com)
[Sung to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol]
On the 1st day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
a partridge in a pear tree.
On 2nd second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 3rd day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 4th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 5th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
5 golden rings.
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 6th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings.
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings.
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings.
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 nine ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings.
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 14th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 15th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
15 Eastern spices,*
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
_________
*Spices from the Far & Middle East were very much cherished and treasured
by medieval Britons and Europeans alike because for a very long time, the
tradesmen and suppliers kept the know-how of spice production a mystery.
Indeed, the spice suppliers even went so far as to tell tantalizingly exotic
and exaggerated tales, indeed, even outright lies, in order to to protect the
secret of how spices were produced.
_________
On the 16th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
16 mummers mumming,*
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
_________
*According to"The Golden Bough" by James Frazier: "Mumming usually involves
a group of performers dressing up in masks (sometimes of straw) and clothes
bedecked with ribbons of rags, and setting out on a procession to neighboring
homes singing songs and carrying branches of greenery." They also performed and
acted out short morality plays, many times without use of spoken dialogue.
_________
On the 17th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 18th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 19th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 20th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 21st day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
21 holly bushels,*
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
_________
*A shorthand way so saying: "21 bushels of holly"
_________
On the 22nd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 23rd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
23 hand-carved creches,*
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
_________
*A creche (pronounced KRESH) is a Nativity scene.
_________
On the 24th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 25th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
25 stags a-bounding,*
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
_________
*Inspired by the phrase "the running of the deer" from "The Holly and the
Ivy"
_________
On the 26th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 27th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
27 kissing boughs,*
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
_________
*According to "The English Festivals" by poet & glass-engraver Laurence
Whistler, a kissing bough was a spherical framework bound with a box or some
other evergreen inside from which red apples dangled from colored ribbons.
Fixed to a strip of metal or osier that formed the circumference of the sphere
were colored candles. The sphere was then hung up in a prominent place with
mistletoe tied beneath it. Kissing boughs were more prominent in rural England.
_________
On the 28th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 29th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 30th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 31st day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 32nd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
32 chefs' creations,
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 33rd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
33 boar's heads roasting,
32 chefs' creations,
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 34th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
34 Christmas ghost tales,
33 boar's heads roasting,
32 chefs' creations,
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 35th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
35 bowls of wassail,
34 Christmas ghost tales,
33 boar's heads roasting,
32 chefs' creations,
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 36th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
36 minstrels singing,
35 bowls of wassail,
34 Christmas ghost tales,
33 boar's heads roasting,
32 chefs' creations,
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the 37th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
37 church bells ringing,
36 minstrels singing,
35 bowls of wassail,
34 Christmas ghost tales,
33 boar's heads roasting,
32 chefs' creations,
31 turkeys baking,
30 Yule logs blazing,
29 friars' blessings,
28 jesters jesting,
27 kissing boughs,
26 knights a-jousting,
25 stags a-bounding,
24 squires a-fowling,
23 hand-carved creches,
22 peacocks strutting,
21 holly bushels,
20 Christmas puddings,
19 cockrels crowing,
18 jugglers juggling,
17 fiddlers bowing,
16 mummers mumming,
15 Eastern spices,
14 fresh-cut fir trees,
13 horses prancing,
12 drummers drumming,
11 pipers piping,
10 lords a-leaping,
9 ladies dancing,
8 maids a-milking,
7 swans a-swimming,
6 geese a-laying,
5 golden rings,
4 calling birds,
3 French hens,
2 turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
-- James King
CG Luxford
On 31 Dec 2000, Cineviews wrote:
> " T H E 3 7 D A Y S O F C H R I S T M A S "
[snip]
> On the 16th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
> 16 mummers mumming,*
> _________
>
> *According to"The Golden Bough" by James Frazier: "Mumming usually involves
> a group of performers dressing up in masks (sometimes of straw) and clothes
> bedecked with ribbons of rags, and setting out on a procession to neighboring
> homes singing songs and carrying branches of greenery." They also performed and
> acted out short morality plays, many times without use of spoken dialogue.
> _________
All the mummers plays with which I am familiar definitely do use
dialogue, many of the texts for these plays date back to long before
James Frazer.
Boxing Day is a traditional day for mumming, and a lot of mummers plays
are performed around then. Father Christmas features in a lot of them.
Nowadays they are often performed at other times of the year as well,
but traditionally they would only have been performed on the one day,
and usually still are.
There are also Plough Monday plays performed on Plough Monday (early
January) and Pace Egging Plays, but I can't remember when they are
performed. "Stations of the Sun" by Ronald Hutton (Oxford University
Press, 1996) has details of these and other folk customs around the
year.
> On the 23rd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
> 23 hand-carved creches,*
> _________
>
> *A creche (pronounced KRESH) is a Nativity scene.
> _________
Well, I never knew that. I had only knowna creche as a place where
parents can safely leave very small children while they go off and do
something else.
> On the 24th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
> 24 squires a-fowling,
This one should probably have had an asterisk, some people might have
thought that the squires were defacating freely, rather than catching
birds.
> On the 35th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
> 35 bowls of wassail,
You can't have bowls of wassail - you can have a wassail bowl, but
wassail is the toast, and not the drink itself.
Wassailing is also an activity involving singing etc, usually carried
out in Orchards between New Year and Twelfth Night, in order that the
trees will bear fruit. Having said that, I know of an apple grower
around here who is having his wassail on Januarey 28th - it's quite a
high profile one, and the local TV and press usually show up.
Chris,
Nightjar
"Cineviews" <cine...@aol.comNOjunk> wrote in message
news:20001231015106...@ng-cr1.aol.com...
> Note: Having recently learned that Christmas observances throughout
history
> in England at various times have ranged from as far as four weeks before
> Christmas to even Feb. 2 (Candlemas),
Some shops start Christmas observances in late September. I also saw hot
cross buns on sale a few weeks before I went away to avoid the traditional
British Christmas.
Colin Bignell