What has been muddled throughout history is the entire tradition came from the Thirteen Days of Yuletide. Yule or Yueltide was a German celebration devoted to Odin and Norse gods. It was Christianicized to the twelve days since the number thirteen is associated with Judas Iscariot.
Many traditions from Yuletide made the cross into Christmas including singing, the Yule Log, the Yule Father, who bears a striking resemblance to Santa, gifts exchange, and serving ham for the feast. Although in earlier times, the whole pig was served. The Yule Goat didn't make the transition however.
Today let's focus on the song we know best.
Day 1: A Papingoe (some say this is a parrot or a peacock)
Day 2: Three Partridges
Day 3: Three Plovers (a game bird)
Day 4: A Grey Goose
Day 5: Three Starlings
Day 6: Three Goldspinks
Day 7: A Brown Bull
Day 8: Three Merry Ducks-a-laying
Day 9: Three Swans A-Merry Swimming
Day 10: An Arabian Baboon (!)
Day 11: Three Hinds (Hounds) Merry Hunting
Day 12: Three Maids Merry Dancing
Day 13: Three Stalks of Corn
Here's a fun version of the song
Aditi, Aine, Akycha, Amaterasu, Bast , Beiwe, Bila, Brigid, Chup-Kamui -Djanggawul Sisters, Hathor, are a few of the sun goddess to find out more. Click here.
The sun gods are even more numerous. The celebrations often lasted days.
On the first day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the second day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the third day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the fourth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the fifth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the sixth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the seventh day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Seven rays of Bifrost
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the eighth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Eight legs on Sleipnir
Seven rays of Bifrost
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the ninth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Nine Heimdall’s mothers
Eight legs on Sleipnir
Seven rays of Bifrost
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the tenth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Ten vikings rowing
Nine Heimdall’s mothers
Eight legs on Sleipnir
Seven rays of Bifrost
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the eleventh day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Eleven jokes of Loki
Ten vikings rowing
Nine Heimdall’s mothers
Eight legs on Sleipnir
Seven rays of Bifrost
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
On the twelfth day of Yule tide the Gods gave to me:
Twelve blessings on our kindred
Eleven jokes of Loki
Ten vikings rowing
Nine Heimdall’s mothers
Eight legs on Sleipnir
Seven rays of Bifrost
Six bags of runes
Five cups of MEAD!!!!
Four dwarves a-mining
Three Norns a-spinning
Two goats a-riding
And an eagle in the World Tree.
© Larisa C Hunter aka Mist, Gyðja of Kenaz Kindred
& her mom Gunn-Thora aka Dark Star, Kindred Bard