Is there a Latin origin for 'Twelve Days of Christmas' e.g. first line 'Et parturit in aperto'

Question

I saw a reference to this many years ago and believe that the suggested meaning for the first line was 'And gave birth in the open' with lines 4&3 rendered as 'de collibus, descendens' which translated as 'coming down from the hills'. I do not recall any other lines being given in the source I first saw. It seems to me that the Latin words are too similar to the subsequent English version to be a coincidence and it certainly seems more fascinating that perhaps the original may have been a Latin carol rather than,as I have subsequently been told, some secret aide-memoire to Catholic doctrine during periods of persecution.

Answer 1

It's false. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/12days.asp

'The Twelve Days of Christmas' is what most people take it to be: a secular song that celebrate the Christmas season with imagery of gifts and dancing and music. Some misinterpretations have crpt into the English version over the years, though. Nonetheless, plenty of writers continue to expound upon 'the beauty and truly biblical and spiritual meanings locked away in this wonderful song that puts Christ into Christmas where he doesn't appear to be." Emphasizing explanations that Christ is a part of Chrismas is a fine thing, but achieving that goal by inventing and spreading phony explanations about purely secular aspects of Christmas is not. And perhaps those who consider this tale (regardless of its literal truth) to be "beautiful" and "inspirational" should consider its underlying message: that one group of Jesus' followers had to hide their beliefs in order to avoid being tortured and killed by another group of Jesus' followers. Of all the aspects of Christianity to celebrate at Christmastime, should this really be one of them?

Answer 2

This suggestion has been dismissed as an urban legend. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/12days.asp

Here is one rendition on what the religious symbolism is for the Twelve Days of Christmas:
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Source: http://www.carols.org.uk/

Answer 3

on the 5th day of Christmas, my authentic love sent to me 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree. hi ?OMG?! i ultimately have been given to respond to a number of your Qs! I shop lacking them!