Four Calling Birds

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“Twelve Days” was first published in 1780, but it existed as an oral tradition long before that. And even after it was published, the song was most often just passed down from generation to generation. Over time, lyrics change.

In the original published version, it’s “4 colly birds” not “4 calling birds.” In England at the time, “colly birds” was a name given to blackbirds.

If you would rather not eat Blackbird Pie, you can substitute common 'calling' birds such as chicken, quail, dove, or duck.