It may not be the catchiest Christmas song (it’s certainly not my favorite), but “The 12 Days of Christmas” is almost certainly the longest. Nearly two weeks of holiday presents makes for pages of lyrics and a tune that’s exhausting for carolers everywhere.
For bird enthusiasts, however, the song sticks out for another reason. In addition to lords, pipers, and golden rings, the song’s repetitive lyrics mention six different varieties of birds. While they wouldn’t make great pets, they would still make for an impressive gift centuries after the song’s first publication.
A Partridge In A Pear Tree