I have been reading many of the posts on the 12 days of Christmas song...

I have been researching songs and folklore on this type of subject for many years, I am fairly certain that it originates as a french hymn, which rhymes, and that, can be traced back to the Latin or Greek version, and Roman as well, but except for a few references about the ancient french, nothing of note has made it to the web as yet.
Of course this time of year, I get a renewed sense of hope to finding those lost things which give so much direction, if one only knows how to listen to that old speak...
I would appreciate any help...
Thank you