h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...that the larger quantity gifts are all people. Drummers, pipers, Lords, Ladies, and maids. Convenience of delivery? Or "the more the merrier"?

I think this could have been origionally someones notes for organising a christmas party..
First the music, (pipers and drummers) then the VIPs and there wives (lords and ladies) one of the lords was on his own,
then the drink (maids milking)
food (goose eggs)..the turtle doves and gold rings could represent gifts, french hens partridge food???? The reason it was written as a song was so that if the list was found then the party would still be kept secret...Well it`s as good as other theories..