On the fourth day of Christmas, according to the popular English Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the gift given is “four calling birds.” This verse is part of a cumulative song that lists a series of increasingly grand gifts given by a lover over the twelve days of Christmas festivities.
The verses of the song, believed to have originated in England, can vary slightly in different versions and regions. In some versions, the lyrics say “four colly birds,” colly meaning black as coal. However, the widely-accepted interpretation today is “calling birds,” which are thought to refer to songbirds or birds that make a lot of noise.
The gift of four calling birds on the fourth day of Christmas continues the pattern of accumulating presents, with each day’s gift added to the previous ones. The song is often sung as part of the Christmas season festivities, spreading joy and cheer with its whimsical and memorable lyrics.
Whether you enjoy singing carols, counting down the days until Christmas, or simply appreciating the symbolism of the gifts, the mention of four calling birds on the fourth day of Christmas adds a touch of enchantment to the holiday season.