?? Where do you get 4 doves? Anyhow, it’s colley-birds (i.e., coal black). “Calling bird” here is what’s called a folk etymology, and, like most folk etymologies, it doesn’t really make sense.
There was a period of time in British history when the Roman Catholic church was forbidden to practice so songs like this carried encoded second meanings that the people of that faith recognized as having deep religious meaning.
Templo S.U.D. almost 7 years ago
I’ve heard that the carol has Biblical symbolism.
jpayne4040 almost 7 years ago
Cagney has the right idea.
Doug Taylor Premium Member almost 7 years ago
I prefer Bob and Doug’s version.
LV1951 almost 7 years ago
4 calling birds, not 4 calling doves.
AndrewSihler almost 7 years ago
?? Where do you get 4 doves? Anyhow, it’s colley-birds (i.e., coal black). “Calling bird” here is what’s called a folk etymology, and, like most folk etymologies, it doesn’t really make sense.
Petemejia77 almost 7 years ago
..and wheat’s a buckin!
Russell Bedford almost 7 years ago
There was a period of time in British history when the Roman Catholic church was forbidden to practice so songs like this carried encoded second meanings that the people of that faith recognized as having deep religious meaning.