You learn something every day
While researching Y8 Christmas quiz questions I found this.
It is the meaning of the carol "12 days of Christmas":
The "true love" of the song refers to God.
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 six days of creation.
Seven Swans A-swimming represented the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight Maids A-milking were the eight beatitudes.
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 Apostle's Creed.
So I take it back about being able to swap ladies/lords with drummers/pipers. Although I maintain that the lift-the-flap book I had when I was little had 12 Lords, 11 Ladies, 10 drummers, 9 pipers, so I am perfectly justified in knowing it that way round.
p.s. definitely should be "Honk" not "Oink