The twelve days of Christmas is the time between Christmas Day and Old Christmas, or the Feast of the Epiphany. All of us have heard the silly carol written about it, and if you are like me, it seems to never end. I'm usually ready to move on at five golden rings. Last week, I heard a storyteller tell what the song is about, and I don't think it is so silly now. I don't know how much of this is truth, but it is entirely possible. It is a lovely tradition. In the sixteenth century, Henry VIII got mad at the Pope because the Pope informed him that he had to go by the rules, even if he was king. Henry VIII declared himself the head of the church of England, and publicly beheaded Sir Thomas More when he wouldn't bow down to him. It was a crime to be a Catholic, so this song was written to teach children about their beliefs without danger of persecution. Here is the meaning the storyteller assigned to each of the verses. My True Love refers to ...
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