The original Twelve Days of Christmas is a popular carol written in 1909, by an English composer named Frederic Austin. The song refers to some strange, expensive gifts. I mean why would anyone want seven Lord's a leaping for a Christmas gift, unless they're putting on a show, and need a group of guys to dance in front of the chorus? (Believe it or not, I've been there.)
Truthfully, I think it's a unique, annoying song that permeates the holiday season with repetitive lyrics we've heard a gazillion times. So, I changed it up a bit in order to reflect true, intangible love, which is not supposed to be based on high-priced gifts or partridges in a pear tree. (This doesn't mean we don't like gifts--especially expensive ones. But come on!)
Items in the original song would probably cost at least $50,000 dollars in today's money. Five gold rings? Swans and geese? Sheesh, we have zoning laws that prohibit poultry and French hens in my community. I guess true love can be impractical. Take for example my book Penniless Hearts which takes place a week before Christmas in the Hawaiian islands. I think my book demonstrates that romance and sanity are sisters from another mother. The bad guys want the money and all Penny wants is love. John loves Penny with all his heart. A breakdown of communication causes everything to go haywire. But remember, it's Hawaii. What can go wrong?
On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
A garden of flowers and trees.
On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Two smoochy kisses
in a garden of flowers and trees.
On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees
On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses.
My true love gave to me:
A garden of flowers and trees.
On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Two smoochy kisses
in a garden of flowers and trees.
On the third day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the fifth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees
On the sixth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses.
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles,
On the seventh day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles,
 |
| I tried to draw a woman showing her surprise. |
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the eighth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Eight uplifting emails,
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the ninth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
Nine back massages,
Eight uplifting emails,
Eight uplifting emails,
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the tenth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
My true love gave to me:
Ten truthful-sounding compliments,
Nine back massages,
Eight uplifting emails,
Eight uplifting emails,
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
Eleven cups a brewing,
Ten truthful-sounding compliments,
Nine back massages,
Eight uplifting emails,
Eight uplifting emails,
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
Six romantic smiles
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me:
My true love gave to me:
Twelve advent chocolates,
Eleven cups a brewing,
Ten truthful-sounding compliments,
Nine back massages,
Eight uplifting emails,
Eight uplifting emails,
Seven love poems,
Six romantic smiles,
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
Six romantic smiles,
Five bear hugs,
Four blooming rose bushes,
Three home-cooked meals,
Two smoochy kisses,
In a garden of flowers and trees.
Merry Christmas to you!
That song is one of my triggers that sets off depression this time of year.
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness.... Do Not Look at my cards. I have been doing the 12 days of Arizona Christmas. This is the eleventh day ! I hope you got yours.
ReplyDeleteI would love a garden of flowers and trees.
parsnip