Is “The Twelve Days of Christmas” just a catchy carol… or is there more to the story? In this episode of Yuletide Chronicles, we unwrap the surprising history behind one of the holiday’s most iconic songs.

From its earliest printed version in the 1700s to theories of hidden religious symbolism, this episode explores where the song came from, what the twelve days actually mean, and why it’s stayed part of Christmas traditions for generations. Whether it began as a simple memory game or something more meaningful, there’s more behind those calling birds and golden rings than you might think.

Press play and hear the story behind the lyrics.