Description
This is my fourth image in our unique range of prints which is, on the 4th day of Christmas verse about the four calling birds.
Each print is individual as they are printed on antique pages taken from dictionaries or encyclopaedias.
These upcycled old lexicons have taken on an ivory tone through the ages which adds character to the images.
No two images will be the same and indeed further interest can be had with the old educational text still being readable through our applied printing. The words of this verse are.
“On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree”
The prints would look great in many locations around the home or office. This could be the Dining room, Hallway, Lounge/Living area or Bedrooms.
Increase your gallery with the attractive “On the 4th day of Christmas” image and complete your set of “The 12 days of Christmas” collection.
What Were These Calling Birds On the 4th Day of Christmas
Ah! Yes, “Four Calling Birds”. We all know what this gift represents. Of course it’s the four blackbirds making phone calls in the image. When were phones like that manufactured I hear you say.
Seriously, the answer once again are many. Let’s see what you make of my ideas.
Bearing in mind how long the song has been around which is something like 236 years, words will have been corrupted over time.
Colly or Collie were probably the original words and are reckoned to be meaning a black bird. Which black bird?
A Crow or the European Blackbird? We nowadays sing calling birds in the song which would mean the Blackbird as it does indeed have singing which is a beautiful sound. The Crow on the other hand is just a harsh CRAW sound.
Who would gift a crow making that sound to anyone never mind gifting them four?
When we think back on an old nursery rhyme “Four and Twenty Blackbirds baked in a Pie” it makes us think again. If indeed this was a pie how would they go about catching the birds to provide the dish?
Birds that were caged could be used to bring other birds of the same species to an area where they could be trapped. I have heard blackbirds singing/calling on many occasions in the spring of the year as they attract mates during nesting season. So blackbirds would be my favourite bird if indeed the song was referring to Colly, Collie or black birds.
Perhaps the four calling birds refer to the four apostles. Certainly this explanation is the religious version and refers to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
This too could be the correct meaning after all the song is about Christmas the birth of Christ.
What’s your suggestion?
And what about the other gifts in the song, have you thought about what they mean? Do you remember the verses? If not you can learn the 12 days of Christmas lyrics here.
Framing
The page measures 10 and 7/8 inches high x 8 inches wide. You could either trim the top and bottom to fit a 10″ x 8″ frame or just place it into the frame and push the backing in place.
Or if you prefer, you could use a larger frame with a 10″ x 8″ mount.
Four Calling Birds Image Details
The picture shown at the top left hand side is how the print would look when framed up and is purely for display purposes.
The frame is not included and the image shown unframed here on the right is what you will receive although on a totally different unique page.
The images used here on the site are a scan of the original print and are a true replica of the print you will receive.
Returns
If for any reason when you receive your print you are not happy, please request a refund. We only wish to have our customers feel satisfied with their purchases and refunding will pose no problem.
Packaging
Each individual print will be placed in a transparent sealed envelope and shipped in a board backed envelope.
Shipping
All orders are shipped First Class mail or using International Standard Airmail for our overseas buyers. Savings can be made when multiple orders are made as we will ship all prints in the same board backed envelope.
