I’ve always had a soft spot for the spectacularly annoying cumulative song known as The Twelve Days of Christmas.
For me, the attraction lies in the vivid imagery: the partridge, dancing ladies, gold rings, swans, and so much more.
The song is a feast for the imagination.
The original British lyrics date back to the late 18th century, while the melody we know became popular in 1909.
A few fun changes occurred along the way. For instance, at one point, the maids a-milking were hares a-running; pipers piping were ships a-sailing; and ladies dancing were bears a-baiting.
What a wonderful peek into antique cultural symbols and preoccupations (the Brits and their bears!)
And now, it’s my turn to torture you with a selection from the 2023 Doubt Canon, destined to become a classic for generations.
On the first day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
A shockwave of anomy.
On the second day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the third day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the fourth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the fifth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the sixth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the seventh day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Seven conversations,
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the eighth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Eight inspirations,
Seven conversations,
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the ninth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Nine plots a-borning,
Eight inspirations,
Seven conversations,
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the tenth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Ten dreamers dreaming,
Nine plots a-borning,
Eight inspirations,
Seven conversations,
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
On the eleventh day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Eleven hugs and kisses,
Ten dreamers dreaming,
Nine plots a-borning,
Eight inspirations,
Seven conversations,
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
[Slow down the tempo, please:]
On the twelfth day of doubting, my mind sent forth to me
Twelve self-acceptances,
Eleven hugs and kisses,
Ten dreamers dreaming,
Nine plots a-borning,
Eight inspirations,
Seven conversations,
Six new ideas,
FIVE REVELATIONS!
Four self-accusations,
Three electric shocks,
Two bad dreams,
And a shockwave of anomy.
You’re welcome.
Wonderful!
So fun! Thank you 🙏🏽