The 12 Days of Christmas (ITALIANO Style)

These days everything builds up to Christmas day. Then nothing. What most people forget is that in many countries the celebration went on until Epiphany on 6 January. These 12 Days were a time for celebrations culminating with a 12th Night celebration on the Eve of the Epiphany. That day was also the day that gifts were given in countries like Italia. (La Befana is the person who gives them, not Santa.)

1 of the songs that talked about this was the 12 Days of Christmas. & while many myths have sprung up, like it was secretly a Catholic Catechism in Anglican England of Henry VIII, it really was a fun song to test people's memories.

Back in the 80s Joe Dolce came out with the song Shaddap You Face. He later came out with a Christmas album. On it he had his version of the 12 Days of Christmas that captured what it means to be Italiano at Chritsmas time. Unfortunately the album has yet to be released on CD (hint hint) So as we head through the 12 Days & you are tired of the traditional lyrics try these instead (you know the tune):

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

A bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

three Pizza Pies,

two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Seven canellonis,

six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Eight Uncle Tonies,

seven canellonis,

Six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Nine Cousin Ginos,eight Uncle Tonies,

Seven canellonis,

Six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Ten glasses of vinos,

nine Cousin Ginos,

Eight Uncle Tonies,

Seven canellonis,

Six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Eleven Mama Mias!

Ten glasses of vinos,

Nine Cousin Ginos,

Eight Uncle Tonies,

Seven canellonis,

Six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,

Twelve dishes of spaghetti and cardoons.

Eleven Mama Mias!

Ten glasses of vinos,

Nine Cousin Ginos,

Eight Uncle Tonies,

Seven canellonis,

Six pepperonis,

Five pasta fazool !!!!

Four meatballs,

three Pizza Pies,

Two garlic cloves,

and a bowl full of parmesean cheese.
(music: traditional, new lyrics: Joe Dolce)