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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- There are birds -- lots of birds -- gold rings, milking maids, dancing ladies, leaping lords, pipers and drummers, but is there a deeper meaning behind the gifts received in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas?' The song dates to 1714 Newcastle, England, according to the 1864 book 'Songs of the Nativity' by William Henry Husk. It recalls gifts the singer's 'true love' gave them over the course of the 12-day Christmas season, Dec. 25 through Jan. 5, Twelfth Night (defined b

A Catholic scholar, Father Hal Stockert, believes the song may have been used during religious persecution in England as a way to teach children.