16 Sep 16 - 05:02 PM (#3810190) Subject: Origins: early versions of 12 days of christmas From: GUEST,Julia L Hi folks- I have just found an intriguing version of the 12 days of Xmas with a minor tune. It also has some lyric differences- 2 fine ducks, 10 bulls a-bellowing, (no "colly" birds) and the last line is one plump partridge in a pear tree. It seems to be pre 1850. It was sung by an elderly woman from Dixfield Maine in 1942 who learned it from her grandmother. I've done a bit of digging but have only found a Scottish version which has bulls and ducks. Sadly no melody. Any ideas? thanks- Julia |
16 Sep 16 - 05:27 PM (#3810193) Subject: RE: Origins: early versions of 12 days of christmas From: RTim https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas_(song) Tim Radford |
16 Sep 16 - 05:51 PM (#3810196) Subject: RE: Origins: early versions of 12 days of christmas From: Steve Gardham Check out The Watersons singing 'Jolly Old Hawk' If I remember rightly the regular version is a translation from the French or Breton. |
16 Sep 16 - 06:37 PM (#3810198) Subject: RE: Origins: early versions of 12 days of christmas From: Monique Interesting article here with a link to there. |