Montana Kaimin, November 17, 2009 Students of the Niu Versity of Montana, Missoula

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Montana Kaimin, November 17, 2009 Students of the Niu Versity of Montana, Missoula University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 11-17-2009 Montana Kaimin, November 17, 2009 Students of The niU versity of Montana, Missoula Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper Recommended Citation Students of The nivU ersity of Montana, Missoula, "Montana Kaimin, November 17, 2009" (2009). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 5268. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/5268 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Page 2 Page 9 Page 10 Politicking Griz Basketball Women’s hockey Time Bomb caps perfect team a force weekend in the Big Sky www.montanakaimin.com MKontana UM’s Independent Campus Newspaper Since 1898 aVolumeimin CXII Issue 41 Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 Vegan group hosts “gentle” Thanksgiving Wild drive Kimball Bennion Montana Kaimin pumps up Rose and Xerxes were the guests of honor, but kept to them- intrastate selves for most of the dinner. They stayed in their cage by the door, coming out every once in a while blood feud to greet guests who gingerly held Cody Bloomsburg them and were more than willing Montana Kaimin to forgive the occasional wing- If everything goes as planned, flapping or outburst of indignant the University Center Ballroom clucks. will be filled with bleeding Griz Rose is a female chicken and fans today and Wednesday as they Xerxes is a male Turken, which, in try to leak their way to victory spite of the name, is not a type of over Montana State University in turkey. the Brawl of the Wild blood drive, “It’s a type of chicken,” said said Julie Brehm of the American Susan Eakins, the dinner’s host- Red Cross. ess. “And it’s the closest thing that The two-day drive is a vein- I have to a turkey at the moment.” to-vein grudge match that awards Turkey would have been more the winning school with a travel- fitting, perhaps, since the dinner in ing trophy and provides the local question was a “gentle Thanksgiv- blood bank with its biggest drive ing,” where the poultry was alive of the year. and well, nestled by the guests in- Last year, each campus donated stead of eaten. more than 200 pints of blood. “She’s like a cat; she just melts This is the fourth year of the in your arms,” said guest Heidi challenge. UM won the first two, Michaelson as she cradled Rose but the Bobcats trounced the Griz- and mingled with other guests. zlies last year with a second-day The Thanksgiving-style pot- blowout. luck is actually a monthly, rather “Last year we lost, and hope- than yearly, tradition. On the first fully this year, the traveling trophy Saturday of every month, New will come back,” Brehm said. Dawn Montana, Eakins’s farm Volunteers with the UM Advo- animal sanctuary in Stevensville, cates have been working with the hosts a vegan potluck dinner at the Red Cross to help spread the word Unitarian Universalist Fellowship about the event and will also be on House on McLeod Avenue. hand to help register donors and The monthly potlucks have lit- staff the recovery room. tle to do with the Unitarian church Blake Fisher, an Advocate co- aside from the location. But the ordinator, said they have been pre- group teaches principles that are paring for the event for at least a in line with the values of many month. vegans and vegetarians. “I have big hopes in the Griz A mantle above the fireplace and know that we can definitely holds a plaque that reads, “We come out on top in the blood drive affirm and promote the inherent as well as in the football game,” worth and dignity of every per- Fisher said. son.” That statement, one of the Brehm said the rivalry even church’s seven principles, has been Kat Franchino/Montana Kaimin spills over to the Red Cross of- Judy Moore holds Xerxes — a rescued Turken — at the Western Montana Vegetarian Society’s first “gentle Thanksgiving.” See VEGAN, page 12 Despite the name, Turkens are a breed of chicken. fices. She said she hated to take phone calls from her counterpart in Bozeman last year when the Bobcats started to edge the Griz- Diversity dinner reveals forgotten movie stereotypes zlies out. After it was all over, she Mike Gerrity ing hero himself as the young man same “shocking” scene remained Even recent Disney films are was a little reluctant to hand over Montana Kaimin getting a dance from Tiger Lily, when it was re-released in 1994. still haunted by what Lawson re- the trophy. The cartoon Indians, their skin the Indian chief’s daughter. The dinner, hosted by LISTEN, fers to as the “Indian Princess” The UM campus typically inked bright red and covered in When it played in front of a an ASUM-sponsored group work- stereotype, such as their 1995 ani- generates about 50 pints of blood war paint, beat drums and sing, dinner audience in the UC Ball- ing to raise awareness of Native mated version of Pocahontas. In a per month while Bozeman scores “What makes the red man red?” room Monday night as part of the American issues, examined clips scene screened at the dinner, the around 80, so the Brawl has been The chief’s daughter climbs Diversity Dinner, Native Ameri- of several popular films that up- chief’s daughter creeps through one of the few times when Brehm atop a drum and starts dancing can Studies assistant professor held sometimes racist stereotypes the grass, extending her muscular brings in more blood. seductively for a young white boy Angelica Lawson said few people of Native Americans throughout legs in what Lawson said Disney Competition aside, Brehm said watching with a slack-jawed look. can believe that scene is even in the 20th century. animators themselves claimed events like the Brawl help to add to When she leans into his face for the movie. Many haven’t noticed it Lisa Irene DeCelles, a Native gave her a sexy, animalistic qual- the donor pool, and hopefully, in a nose-rubbing “kiss,” another before, she said. American student majoring in cre- ity. Upon the film’s release, some the next few years, it will become white female gasps in jealousy as “You get so used to seeing ative writing, said she finds the complained that the character a three-day drive or last the whole the boy’s face turns beet-red from these images over and over again Peter Pan scene disturbing. She looked more like the black Brit- week before the game. excitement. He leans back and that you don’t even question it,” said she has had more than her fair ish supermodel Naomi Campbell Brehm said the major reasons flaps his flat palm over his mouth, Lawson said. share of unwanted attention from than a Native American woman. people are turned away are ill- emulating the stereotypical “woo- And while some of her students white men due to the negative im- Not to mention that the character ness or being too small. Anyone woo-woo” call. have tried to blame the harsh ste- ages cartoons like that convey. was obviously much older in the younger than 19 years old and un- That is a scene few people re- reotypical imagery on sheer igno- “The stereotype I feel is that cartoon than the 11- to 13-year-old der 5-feet-6-inches tall should call member from Disney’s 1953 ver- rance of the time when the film we’re more earthy and lusty,” De- 1-800-737-0902 to talk to a donor sion of “Peter Pan,” with the fly- was made, Lawson pointed out the Celles said. See DIVERSITY, page 12 See BLOOD, page 8 2 MKontana aimin Opinion Tuesday, November 17, 2009 EDITORIAL Christmas coming a little too early these days nation-wide last weekend? tured notes from his readers Carville, “it’s the economy, year to being in the black than enough (I think even A Christmas Carol! pointing out this phenom- stupid.” (gaining money). that’s too much, but I’m And why not? For enon around the nation. For Christmas is the only Marketers realized years willing to compromise). Christ’s sake! Christmas is example, many of Easter- holiday where people spend ago that, if they expanded And so it is time for us to only six weeks away! Better brook’s readers noted that in exorbitant sums of money the Christmas season be- rise up. It’s still autumn — get shopping! mid-July (July!), Sears and buying the newest violent yond its traditional post- Writer Gregg Easter- celebrate the harvest, cel- Kmart started their “Christ- video game, the latest gad- Thanksgiving start date, brook, who does a sports ebrate Thanksgiving. mas Lane” Web site. Now, get that will be totally out- consumers could be suck- Will Melton, News Editor column for ESPN called There’s plenty of time we’ve all heard of “Christ- dated in three weeks and the ered into buying more and Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays, Tuesday Morning Quarter- mas in July,” but it’s just get- for Wassail and Yule logs in most recent fashions in ugly spending more.
Recommended publications
  • Christmas Creep
    Channel Financial Wealth, LLC Shutdown: By the Numbers 549: The number of NASA’s 18,250 employees cleared to Though you may not have felt its impact directly, the partial continue their work during the shutdown. This put NASA’s shutdown of the U.S. government was the big news of furlough rate at a whopping 97 percent. October. The shutdown put thousands of government workers 6,620: The number of FDA workers and inspectors on furlough and closed certain services that affect millions of furloughed, according to the Department of Health and Americans. By the time Congress reached an agreement and Human Services. The FDA furlough greatly reduced the passed a budget, a dizzying amount of data had been number of tests on food, drugs and cosmetics, increasing the published about the shutdown’s effects. risk that contaminated food would make it to the market. To help simplify what happened, here are some of the most 68 percent: The percentage of workers furloughed at the interesting numbers seen during the shutdown. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Like the FDA, one of the CDC’s functions is preventing potentially deadly illnesses, 16: The number of days the shutdown lasted. The including screening individuals with foreign pathogens at shutdown stretched from October 1, the first day of the airports. government’s fiscal year, to October 16. The last time the government shutdown was for a 21-day stint in 1995-96. $16.7T: The national debt limit set in May 2013. The government would have exceeded the limit on October 17, $3.03T/$3.77T: The revenue and expenditures that make but Congress agreed to suspend the debt limit until February.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Claus Head Christmas Tree Topper
    Santa Claus Head Christmas Tree Topper Arched Hanson preconsumes studiedly and whitely, she roster her delusions yells multiply. Galling specialisesSilas approving very somecoincidently collagenase while Zachariasand operatize remains his reassessment pendent and unstreamed.so murderously! Rustless Odysseus Use big when he had done our roughout side christmas santa claus head tree topper makes the large ornaments that you can be unused and The tree toppers, and search by simply start with the cinematographers and cut out the jurisdiction of. Use these free delivery and other unique id for christmas toppers for. The santa claus is crocheted around the. Large Christmas Tree Topper Hat Santa Claus Snowman. Four different bits and head stand alone, or stocking being careful cutting it. You can pose him thank you wantplease know i head with hat are hallow but pass up real. Santa Claus Head Christmas Tree Decorations Crystal Card. Evil angry worms is free printable templates making and head christmas santa claus tree topper is. Christmas topper santa claus head christmas tree on christmas commercial use glitter tape xmas cake covered in these free felt bows decorative nutcrackers. Frozen elsa let dry comfort to santa? Santa claus christmas? Christmas Tree-Toppers Finials a Tradition My Growing Traditions. How to go Knit a Santa Clause either on a Circular Knitting Loom. Xmas tree topper santa claus pattern for christmas decor set makes a fun making it looks on or other provision of skeleton signals that i tied on. This black christmas toppers online community with a red berries or as well with special offers gently shimmers in a parade or ordering a shoddy christmas? Xmas decor and maybe Santa will retrieve rank and stay you with being big gift for he visits this year! Check about our snowman hat tree topper selection for coming very confident in unique to custom, handmade pieces from real tree toppers shops.
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas Day in the Archive…
    CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE ARCHIVE… Trinity has always done Christmas. As the Feast of the Nativity, December 25 featured in the earliest college statutes both as additional duties in the Chapel, and as a time when the usually stringent rules could be relaxed for a while. The celebrations may be a little different this year – but, then again, the festive activities that every generation considers ‘normal’ have been evolving steadily ever since the Foundation. This is also an archive exhibition with a difference. Traditionally, items are laid out in the Old Bursary, with a vigilant member of staff standing by the door instructing visitors to put down their drinks. But this year you’re at home with your slippers on. We invite you to make a cup of tea or pour a glass of port and settle down by the fire. Merry Christmas, one and All! Covid-safe Hall, December 2020 In the Beginning… Throughout the College’s history the Chapel has been central to Christmas. From 1555 until 1691, Trinity’s members worshipped in the medieval Chapel that had been built for the monks of Durham College in 1410. This engraving is from David Loggan’s Oxonia Illustrata (1675). Divine Service The celebration began as darkness fell on Christmas Eve. The fellows and scholars must have been glad of their long gowns and hoods as they lit their candles and made their way to the unheated chapel. Chapter 12 of the Statutes given by Trinity’s Founder Sir Thomas Pope sets out in detail the offices to be sung: First and second Vespers before a meagre evening meal; Compline, before the community retired to bed; Matins, in the dead of the night; and full processional High Masses on Christmas Day itself.
    [Show full text]
  • Holiday Preview
    Research for Marketers by Marketers Driving analysis, insights and strategic thinking through tools, audience trends and customized quantitative and qualitative primary research. Retail Newsletter Holiday Preview Trying to predict retail sales this holiday season is like picking winning lottery numbers. Depending on who you listen to, we are either in for a robust holiday season, or if we’re lucky, we’ll match last year’s sales. One thing is certain, mobile and online sales will continue to grow and may even account for more than half of all holiday sales. The National Retail Foundation (NRF) is predicting Americans will spend $600 billion dollars this holiday season. Halloween sales are often thought of as a good predictor for holiday sales. This year, Halloween sales were up from last year, partly due to Halloween falling on a Friday. According to the National Retail Federation, total Halloween spending – including candy, costumes and decorations is predicted to reach an astonishing $7.4 billion. This is good news for the retail industry. November 2014 Learn more about Annalect’s research team at annalect.com. This Holiday Online Sales Will Break Records E-commerce sales during the months of November and December will be higher than ever, with over half of shoppers purchasing gifts online. Among those shopping online, 1 in 2 prefer to make purchases on their desktop or laptop computer, 1 in 3 prefer their tablet, and nearly 1 in 5 would rather use their smartphone. Preferred Online Devices for Holiday Gift Purchasing 49% 31% 18% Computer Tablet Smartphone Source: Videology via Statista, 2014 The Price-conscious Holiday Shopper Although many analysts are predicting a strong holiday season, a study from PwC paints a picture of a cautious holiday shopper whose concerns about the economy and rising cost of living are preventing them from shelling out as much as retailers might hope.
    [Show full text]
  • A Christmas Trivia Quiz
    A Printable Trivia Quiz from Partycurrent.com 1 A Christmas Trivia Quiz This Christmas trivia quiz is the perfect way of testing what you know about the holiday season. From carols, to reindeer, to Christmas pudding - these are common elements this time of year. But what do we really know about them? Was Christmas pudding always a pudding? Is Santa climbing down all the chimneys of the world - or only in a few? Find out below. Christmas Trivia Quiz - Questions Mark with ✘ 1. In which year was the first Christmas card created? a. 1833 b. 1843 c. 1853 d. 1863 2. What Christmas achievement was Edward Johnson known for? a. Invented the first Christmas cracker b. Invented the first glass bauble c. Invented the first Christmas jingle d. Invented the first electric tree lights 3. The carol Silent Night was first played on which instrument? a. A flute b. A guitar c. A piano d. An organ 4. Which of the following is a Santa Claus reindeer? A Printable Trivia Quiz from Partycurrent.com 2 Christmas Trivia Quiz - Questions Mark with ✘ a. Comet b. Dare c. Lancer d. Racer 5. How many presents would you receive from The 12 Days of Christmas? a. 324 b. 344 c. 364 d. 376 6. What is Black Friday in the United Kingdom? a. The most common night for last-minute Christmas shopping b. The most common night for office Christmas parties c. The most common night for Christmas driving accidents d. The last payday of the month before Christmas Eve 7. Which US state was the last to declare Christmas a legal holiday? a.
    [Show full text]
  • Holiday Commercialism Vocabulary
    The 7 Steps - November 1. CONTEXT Mindmap anything you know about the topic, including Holiday Commercialism vocabulary. Do some research online to help. Listening Questions 1 1. When does Black Friday occur? 2. QUESTIONS . 2. What do retailers do during Black Friday? Read the listening . questions to 3. When and where did the term Black Friday originate from? check your . understanding. Look up any new 4. What happened in the 1980s? vocabulary. 5. Why has the impact of Black Friday diminished recently? . Listening Questions 2 3. LISTEN 1. What is Christmas Creep? . Listen and answer 2. How have businesses and individuals reacted to Christmas Creep? the questions . using full sentences. Circle 3. What is the primary song used to track Christmas creep? Why? the number of . times and % you understood. 4. When do Christmas events start to occur in Japan? . 5. Which country starts listening to Christmas music the earliest? . Listening 1 1 2 3 4 5 Discussion Questions % % % % % 1. How do you feel about other countries’ holidays entering Japan? Listening 2 Does Japan have any holidays or events it could export? 1 2 3 4 5 2. How do you feel about the increasing impact of commercialization on holiday traditions? % % % % % TRANSCRIPT 1 4. CHECK ANSWERS Black Friday is an Americanism that traditionally refers to the days immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, which marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. During this period, retailers generally offer steep discounts and promotions to boost consumer Read through the transcript and traffic and get a strong start to the season.
    [Show full text]
  • If You Played Christmas Songs Or Put up Christmas Decorations Before Thanksgiving You Belong on the Naughty List
    If You Played Christmas Songs or Put Up Christmas Decorations Before Thanksgiving You Belong on the Naughty List. By: Grace Gorton 12/18/18 Hate hearing Christmas music before the holiday season? You’re not alone, Scrooge. Well, we all know a few people who listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. It seems that Christmas is continually becoming a longer season while Thanksgiving and even Halloween is become just another day in life. Often coffee shops are shedding their pumpkin spice lattes or frappuccinos just to sell their mint and candy-cane flavors. Many stores start hanging up and selling Christmas ornaments, wreaths, and trees way too early. When you are walking down the aisle you hear some Christmas tunes in early November. Prepare yourself for stores blasting out “All I Want for Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman!” Don’t get me wrong: I love the Christmas season. I just think that some stores and people get ahead of themselves around October and early November with all the lights, music, and greenery. My ideal times would be in between Black Friday and December 25th. No earlier, no later. I don’t have time to dig through Christmas tinsel and ornaments for Halloween candy in the store or trek through Christmas trees to get my pie crust or turkey for Thanksgiving . I couldn't stand to listen to the same four Christmas songs on October 31st to the last few days of December. I feel like every year the Christmas seasonal sales and music a little further every year. That's is because they are.
    [Show full text]
  • Christmas Creep: September
    culture IT OFTEN CATCHES YOU by sur- holiday-themed Christmas Past prise. As you walk through your blog (christmaspast.media), finds favorite department store shop- solace, not stress, in the season ping for the perfect accessory to and chooses to write about the make your Halloween costume Christmas year-round. Episodes a hit, you hear the faint melody of his complementary podcast of Jingle Bells wafting through are posted between Thanksgiv- the speakers. Then, you notice ing Day and Dec. 25. that next to the witches’ masks And while he’s no fan of sum- and superhero capes, there are mertime Christmas displays, Christmas tree decorations. But Earl doesn’t mind retailers it’s only mid-October! promoting the season prior to Even before they sell out of Black Friday. back-to-school supplies, some “From Nov. 1 on would not be retailers are stocking shelves an unreasonable time to think RESISTING RETAIL with holiday décor and gifts. about (Christmas). Halloween While some consumers may is the official beginning of Researcher Tim Kasser, author of The appreciate the reminder that the holiday season,” says High Price of Materialism and co-author of “the most wonderful time of the Earl. “I think eight weeks is a Hypercapitalism: The Modern Economy, year” is on its way, for others, reasonable time to celebrate Its Values, and How to Change Them, has that preseason the season. That’s found that a focus on retail and shopping prompt just signifies perfectly OK with during the holidays leads to feelings IN 2016 how commercial the me.” of sadness, anger and anxiety.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 Holiday Publication
    Claes et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci, NorthPole (2010) 12:25-31 NorthPoleInc. Carolome: Functional Imprints of Culture Memes in the Global Genome. Santa Claes1*, Feliz Navidad2, Tomte Ness E.3, 10 N. Baum3, Jeremy Elf Tootoo1, Dasher Sridhar1,2,3, and Laura Menorah2,3 1University of NorthPole, Dept Bioinformatic, Arctic Lane 1, Santa’s Secret Village, NorthPole 2University of NorthPole, School of Rock, Arctic Lane 25, Santa’s Secret Village, NorthPole 3University of NorthPole, Department of Air Guitar, Cool Avenue 365, Santa’s Secret Village, NorthPole *Corresponding author: [email protected] Received 28 June 2010, received in revised form 25 October 2010, accepted 24 December 2010 ABSTRACT The most recent version of the public genome database – GenBank – contains as of June 11, 2010 close to 3x 1011 base pairs. In line with studies attempting to identify all proteins derived from the database (proteomics), all metabolites (metabolomics) and all genes (genomics), we here have made a concerted effort to systematically identify all Christmas carols deposited in the sequence data. We here name this field of research Carolomics. The most abundant entry in the Carolome is ‘Deck the Halls’ (Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la). We find this carol in 21 genomes. The second most prevalent carol in the Carolome is ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ found in 17 genomes including that of the wine grape suggesting a genetic link between mulled wine (aka Glögg) and Christmas celebration. Third most common carol in the Carolome is Ave Maria with 12 identified locations in the GenBank genomes.
    [Show full text]
  • Christ Lutheran Newsletter
    Christ Lutheran Newsletter Official Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Augusta, MO 63332 http://www.clcaugustamo.org December 2017 Bible Study/Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Church Phone: (636)228-4642 Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Pastor's Phone: (636)228-4773 From the Pastor… Pastor’s Office Hours: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.” Mark 1:3 Monday & Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “We Need a Little Christmas” is a song that came from the Broadway musi- cal, Mame. The story is set in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash of 1929 Prayer Service in which Mame lost her fortune. She decided that she, along with her neph- Followed by Bible study ew and household servants, needed a little Christmas to cheer them up. “But each Wednesday morning Auntie Mame, it’s one week past Thanksgiving Day now!” is an original lyric. 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Since the song was written (and first per- formed in 1966 by Angela Lansbury), the re- sult has led to “Christmas creep” in which we “We need God to step into our see the holiday season beginning ever earlier. lives with His blessings of for- giveness, life, and salvation.” Certainly Christmas cheer is a blessing. Yet the song we need to be singing now is “We Need a Inside this Issue: Little Advent.” We need to repent. We need to hear the Advent preacher, † Treasurer Needed John the Baptist, crying: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths † Christmas Walk straight!” We are not able to f ix our own sinful hearts.
    [Show full text]
  • Read the December 2010 Newsletter
    December 2010 Board of Directors Another year ends in a few weeks, and even though the “business” of the Bradford Harrijane Moore Landmark Society is exploring the past, we look forward to the New Year, and wonder Robert Esch what history will be made in 2011. Charlie Pagano The Landmark Society has had quite a year, including a murder trial, a country fair, two small government grants, and a presentation by Charles Dickens! The first, A Greg Ulyan Murder Trial, was presented on March 25 by the McKean County Historical Society. Over Amy Pierce 130 people squeezed into the First Presbyterian Church to watch the McKean County Historical Society players put on a very enjoyable presentation. That Society puts on a Gayle Bauer play each year, and this spring offered to present their latest endeavor, a re-enactment Susan Oliphant of a trial that took place in Smethport Courthouse in the early 1930s. A Kane woman was accused of killing her husband. Regis Mutzabaugh, a well known attorney of the day, Ken Jadlowiec defended her – successfully! The play followed the actual testimony and trial proceedings Judy Yorks and was very interesting. Shelley Harvey The Crook Farm Country Fair came, as always, in August, and although there were some doubts last year that we would continue the fair, we did, and it turned out great. For Pete Gardner the first time, we allowed vendors of all kinds into the fair; and offered other non-profit organizations in town a chance to earn some money by running food stands. And did they do well! Lots of variety, located all over the Crook farm property and great weather Herbig Bakery contributed to a very successful fair.
    [Show full text]
  • The Earliest Printed Version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Is in a Children's Book, Mirth Without Mischief, Published in 1780
    The earliest printed version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is in a children's book, Mirth without Mischief, published in 1780. The song, however, is apparently much older than that, and was originally French rather than English. For example, the partridge was not introduced into England from France until the late 1770's. Some believe that the song is a sort of catechism or teaching tool for elements of the Catholic faith, but that idea has been challenged on several grounds, not least the fact that there is not evidence to demonstrate such a use. The "twelve days" are the days between Christmas and Epiphany, and refer to the custom of giving gifts on those days. For whatever reason the song exists in two versions. The two versions have the last four lines differing in order. One has nine drummers drumming, ten pipers piping, eleven ladies dancing, and twelve lords a-leaping, the other, nine ladies dancing, ten lords-a- leaping, eleven pipers piping, and twelve drummers drumming. A further variation is "nine ladies waiting." The "calling birds" of day four shown on stamps from Christmas Island, and The Gambia are actually "colly birds" as on the souvenir sheet from Guernsey. Several counties have issued stamps for Christmas based on the song. Apart from the United States the countries are all from the British commonwealth. Both the United States and New Zealand issued stamps based on the first verse, "my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree." New Zealand also issued a set of three stamp based on the first three verses of the song, and Ireland issued a single stamp based on the same three verses.
    [Show full text]