I love the interaction that the internet gives us. Just before signing off today, Christmas eve, I received a fascinating email from Marion Blanton explaining the carol to me. I’ve found similar explanantion around the web so it’s either true or a widespread myth. Sounds real enough to me. here goes

“From 1558 until  1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to
practice  their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a
catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning:  the
surface meaning plus a hidden  meaning known only to  members of their
church. Each element in the carol has a code word  for a religious reality,
which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two  turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments
Three French hens stood  for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four  gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden  rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of
the Old  Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of  creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and
Mercy.
The eight maids  a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the  nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy,
Peace, Patience,  Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self
Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The
Apostles’ Creed.”

Here’s  another link I found as well.

Merry Christmas and wishes for a peaceful new year.

hs