Listen for agriculture in Christmas carols

While singing your favorite Christmas carols this season, listen for lyrics about agriculture and you’ll see that just like the rest of our lives, ag is everywhere.

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The First Noel

The first Noel, the angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. ... Then entered in those wise men three, full reverently upon their knee, and offered there in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Sheep production in the United States peaked in 1884 with 50 million head, according to USDA. Today there are about 5 million. We import more than half the lamb and mutton we consume, mostly from Australia and New Zealand. Myrrh and frankincense are aromatic resins from trees grown in southwest Asia and northeast Africa, used for medicine, flavoring, and perfume.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. ... The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

After changing hands many times, today Bethlehem is in Palestine. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, there were 67,760 head of cattle in the country in 2021, up from 33,925 in 2010. Your chances of hearing cattle lowing near Bethlehem have doubled in the past decade.

The 12 Days Of Christmas

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a-leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a-milking, 7 swans a-swimming, 6 geese a-laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.

According to USDA, the average hired livestock worker in the U.S. makes $14.81 per hour, so hiring eight milkmaids for eight hours would cost $947.84. Because the gifts repeat each day, you’d have to hire them for five days, which would run $4,739.20. Given the average price per gallon for 2% milk is $4.34, you could instead buy your true love 1,092 gallons of milk.

Using USDA data from a recent small animal auction in Georgia, six geese for seven days would cost $630. Four Call ducks for nine days would run $648. Three (not French) hens for 10 days would be $135. The most economical gift would be a partridge a day for 12 days, yours for only $42, pear trees not included.