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

Very humourous topic,

actually the song represents various aspects of Catholic philosophy and tradition, used as a mnemonic during the oppression of the British/Protestant a few centuries ago. basically it goes like this:

The various giftsare hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The “true love” mentioned doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to god Himself. The “me” who receives the presents refers to every Christian person. The partridge in a pear tree is Christ. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, representative of the protection against religious oppression.

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, or Pentateuch, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight virtues

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles (less Judas, of course)

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed


I don't claim to understand all of this because I was raised Episcopal, but that is supposed the be the actual derivation of the song. search the internet for the title of the song and the actual source, which escapes me now, should pop up.

Happy Holidays, whatever your faith

Why does everyone have to bring religion into it? Surely Christmas is all about spending loads of money, getting pissed as farts, telling your Aunty May that she's a fat, ugly old trollop, then throwing up over the cat (though protocol dictates that this should be done *after* the Queen's Speech).


Also, why can't they have Christmas in April, when the shops are less crowded?

wHAt is it with this fool? We can 't possbily kmove Christmas to April. It would conflict with Easter )if early in the month) mor the 2world wide celebration of Adolf Hitler's Birthday later in the month. Any fool should know that!!!

Jim

You know, Ad, you are too smart for me. I had never known what the song was all about. Never even had a clue it had to do with religion. I, myself, am not religious in any sense, and have made up my own lyrics that change with my mood...Hell, I'm a woman! Why should anything be the same more than once????