Скачать или смотреть The 12 KEYS of Christmas by Frederic Austin (optional sing-along) – Charles “Keys” Manning, Piano

Merry Christmas!!

To hear more of your favorite Christmas songs and carols, click the link below, or visit “Christmas Music” in the Playlists section of the Piano Pizzazz! channel.

   • Christmas Music  

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol in the form of a cumulative song with increasingly numerous gifts received on each of the 12 days of Christmas, beginning on Christmas Day. The song, published in England in 1780 (without music, as a chant or rhyme), was part of a children’s book, “Mirth Without Mischief.” The melodies of collected versions of the carol vary throughout history. The standard tune now associated with the lyrics is derived from a 1909 arrangement of a traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, sometimes known as “Twelvetide,” is a festive Christian season celebrating the birth of Jesus. In the year 567, the Council of Tours proclaimed the twelve days from Christmas to Twelfth Night, the day before Epiphany, as a sacred and festive season. Through the centuries, the counting of the 12 days became an important aspect of each Christmas season.

Historically, the number 12 has developed a pervasive influence in civilization. Some examples include: 12 months in a year, 12 numbers on the clock, 12 inches in a foot, 12 Christian apostles, and 12 individual notes in music, plus many more. Composer J. S. Bach (1685-1750) perfected the structural division of music into 12 discreet notes with equally divided frequencies, allowing western music to be played successfully in each of 12 keys – and his system is still in use today.

In this musical arrangement, pianist Charles “Keys” Manning plays each of the 12 days in a corresponding key. Each day is repeated, in its same key, every time it occurs throughout the song. For a Christmas Musical Challenge, try to sing along with "Keys" in this unique (and perhaps somewhat jarring) improvisation. (Note: For those with advanced harmonic skills, the finale contains a French sixth chord on "three French hens"! )

The lyrics are printed below. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

~ Lyrics ~

On the [respective] day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

First: (And) A partridge in a pear tree.
Second: Two turtle doves…
Third: Three French hens…
Fourth: Four calling birds…
Fifth: Five golden rings…
Sixth: Six geese a-laying…
Seventh: Seven swans a-swimming…
Eighth: Eight maids a-milking…
Ninth: Nine ladies dancing…
Tenth: Ten lords a-leaping…
Eleventh: Eleven pipers piping…
Twelfth: Twelve drummers drumming.

For the finale, quickly repeat the twelfth day sequence, all in the original key.