This classic Christmas carol describes a sequence of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Starting with a partridge in a pear tree on the first day, the list of gifts grows with each subsequent day, including items such as two turtle doves, three French hens, and five gold rings, among others, until it culminates with twelve lords a leaping. The song's structure builds cumulatively, with each verse adding a new gift while repeating all previous gifts, creating a festive, melodic pattern. It showcases elements of generosity and the joy of giving, often interpreted as representing various Christian symbols, though primarily celebrated for its jovial and whimsical nature.