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 had two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. 

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. 

-Two turtle doves 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 and 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 6 days of creation. 

-The 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. 

-The 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.

Merry Christmas from Executive Properties to you! Have a happy 2009!