Free Printable 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics PDF – Looking for free printable 12 Days of Christmas lyrics? This classic cumulative Christmas carol is perfect for family sing-alongs, classroom activities, church events, caroling, or holiday parties across the United States. Below you’ll find the traditional lyrics, quick background, and direct links to legitimate free printable PDFs and sheet music so you can download and print right away.
What Are the 12 Days of Christmas?
The “12 Days of Christmas” refers to the period from Christmas Day (December 25) through January 5, ending just before Epiphany on January 6. The song itself is an English folk carol first published around 1780 as a rhyme or chant without music. The version most Americans know today was arranged in 1909 by English composer Frederic Austin, who added the familiar elongated “five go-old rings.”
It works as a cumulative song: each verse adds a new gift while repeating all the previous ones. By the twelfth day the total number of gifts reaches 364. The song remains a staple of American holiday celebrations in schools, community choirs, and family gatherings.
Free Printable 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics PDF
Traditional 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics
Here are the standard lyrics used in most free printable versions:
On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eleven pipers piping,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Twelve drummers drumming,
eleven pipers piping,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree.
Free Printable 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics PDFs
These trusted sites offer free, ready-to-print versions with no paywall for the basic downloads:
- A clean single-sheet or multi-page lyrics PDF is available from Singing Bell. Download the 12-page classroom-friendly version here: 12 Days of Christmas 12-page Printable PDF. The full lyrics page is at Singing Bell 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics.
- Another straightforward PDF lyrics sheet is offered by Printerfriendly: 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics PDF.
- For free printable sheet music (with repeat signs to keep the length manageable), visit Christmas Music Songs: Twelve Days of Christmas Sheet Music PDF. The main page is Christmas Music Songs – Twelve Days of Christmas.
Print on standard letter-size paper. Color or black-and-white options work well for kids’ activities, choir binders, or party song sheets.
Fun U.S. Tradition: The PNC Christmas Price Index
Every year PNC Bank calculates the real-world cost of buying all the gifts listed in the song. In 2025 the “Christmas Price Index” reached $51,476.12 for one set of each gift (up 4.5% from the prior year). The “True Cost of Christmas” that counts every repeated gift in the cumulative verses totaled over $218,000. Check the latest figures on the official page: PNC Christmas Price Index.
Tips for Using Free Printable Lyrics
- Schools and homeschoolers: Use the multi-page version for wall displays or individual student sheets.
- Families and parties: Print several copies so everyone can sing along without phones.
- Caroling groups: Laminate a few copies for outdoor use.
- Check that your printer settings are set to “fit to page” or actual size for clean results.
Brief FAQ
Are the lyrics in the public domain?
Yes. The traditional text and the widely used 1909 arrangement are free to print and share for non-commercial personal, educational, or community use.
Where can I find sheet music as well as lyrics?
The Christmas Music Songs PDF linked above includes both melody and the cumulative structure with repeat signs.
Do I need an account to download?
The PDFs listed above open or download directly without required sign-ups for the free versions.
Enjoy the song this holiday season—print your free 12 Days of Christmas lyrics and start singing!