Wrinkly Bits
A Blog by Gail Cushman
I was looking up stuff the other day, you know, checking on some trivia that no one really knows or cares about, and I ran across the old English Christmas carol, the Twelve Days of Christmas. You probably know it by heart, “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…a partridge in a pear tree,” and eleven more verses that stack on top of each other. I always lose track after about the third day, but it got me to thinking. A partridge in a pear tree is a lovely image, but I can’t imagine why the song writer used those two images. Why not a dandelion in a deciduous tree? Or a robin in a rose bush. The song was originally created for religious reasons as people did in the 16th and 17th centuries. But what would it be like if it were written in our 21st century?
First of all, the song was likely of German origin and has moved around the world. Cowboy says we have both partridges and pear trees, but who knows, they aren’t in obvious in Columbus, but I’ll keep looking. I’ve never seen either here, but I’m sure he’ll take me on an adventure sometime soon, seeking the truth. I come from German heritage, which translates to hard work and no play. We are a hardy sort, like order and rules. Think sauerkraut, rye bread, and Weiner schnitzels. Staples. German.
If this song were truly a German piece of music, it could be, “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Weiner schnitzels hanging on a Christmas tree.” It’s a thought. Or a Montana version: “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, red woolen socks and a set of Carhartt BVD’s.”
Stay Tuned! Turtle doves coming tomorrow.
In case you have forgotten about my books (it is Christmas, you know!).
The Maggie Monroe Series (5 books), mysteries about a female sheriff (Maggie Monroe) in the Intermountain West (Idaho, Nevada, and Montana.). They are published under my pen name, Helene Mitchell. Buy my books! www.gailcushman.com
