Rumor is that the 12 Days of Christmas was written during a time of severe persecution of Catholicism.
Catholic writings were outlawed and so teaching the beliefs to the young became difficult.
As a result, the song was made up to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith.
The “true love” mentioned in the song doesn’t refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself.
The “me” who receives the presents refers to every Catholic.
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

My thought is this, why go to all the trouble and symbolism to teach a doctrinal belief?
Why not just teach the belief itself with Bible memorization?
That way there would never be any confusion.
This is what the Bible says, these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6:6-9
Still it’s a very nice song for Christmas and part of our tradition.
I’m curious though, if any of today’s Catholics think about the tenets of the faith when they hear it.
Or if they’re like me and just sing it loudly when it comes on the radio!