The Twelve Days of Christmas got stuck in my brain when I did a meme this week (I had to recite the 12 gifts). And I do remember that these Twelve Days of Christmas supposedly start on the evening of Christmas Day and last through the evening of Epiphany.
I didn't have to look very far to find some interesting information about these 12 days. This year the total cost of the items has been reported to be $86,609. Another interesting fact stated that "Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited by law to practice their faith either in public or private. It was illegal to be Catholic until Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England in 1829. The Twelve Days of Christmas was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith. In short, it was a coded-message, a memory aid. Since the song sounded like rhyming nonsense, young Catholics could sing the song without fear of imprisonment. The authorities would not know it was a religious song."
And then there are the silly song parodies. One such parody being Jeff Foxworthy's "The Twelve Redneck Days of Christmas." These alluring redneck gifts are: Twelve-pack of Bud; Eleven Wrastling tickets; Ten o' Copenhagen; Nine years probation; Eight table dancers; Seven packs of Redman; Six cans of Spam; Five flannel shirts; Four big mud tires; Three shotgun shells; Two hunting dogs... And some parts to a Mustang GT. Quite a different take on the song.
However, my purpose this year is to present the trials and tribulations brought upon the life of a Miss Agnes McHolstein by a starry-eyed suitor, John. (This is actually an email that has circulated the web a few times). The saga begins exactly 36 years ago today.
December 14, 1972
My dearest darling John:
Who ever in the whole world would dream of getting a real Partridge in a Pear Tree? How can I ever express my pleasure? Thank you a hundred times for thinking of me this way.
My love always, Agnes
Please visit again for the continued story of Agnes and John.
Last year I did the whole list of codes in the 12 days. The redneck version is certainly a smile maker. I'll alert all my attorney buddies in case Agnes or John need their services.
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