where did the '12 days of christmas' carol originate?

Answer 1

I searched the web and found this site:
http://www.cvc.org/christmas/12days.htm

The site says that the written lyrics to "The Twelve Days of Christmas" first appeared in "Mirth without Mischief" in the early 1780s in England. The tune to which these words are sung apparently dates back much further and came from France.

I'd suggest checking out the site for further info. There's a really entertaining urban myth about the origins of the carol and also a series of letters presumably written by the modern-day recepient of the 12 days of gifts. All in good fun!