On the third day of Christmas

My truelove gave to me… 

The third of 12 blogs with ideas/information for a funeral inspired by this wonderful Christmas carol.

Three French Hens

• the carol could have been based on a French song

This was first published in a children's book "Mirth without Mischief" from 1870

• the hens could refer to three varieties of chickens in France
  

3 main varieties of chickens associated with France at the time: Crevecoeur, Houdans and La Fleche.

Readings are always an important part of a funeral service.

Here's a french themed one:

• Code poem for the French Resistance
  

The life that I have
Is all that I have,
And the life that I have is yours.
The love that I have
Of the life that I have,
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have,
A rest I shall have,
Yet death will be but a pause.
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass,
Will be yours and yours and yours.

Leo Marks


Music

How about a song or two that have links to the carol

• The beautiful Pie Jesu, from Fauré's Requiem
• Ave Maria by Gounod

2 Turtle doves

And

A Partridge in a Pear Tree