<P> The now - standard melody for the carol was published in 1909 by Novello & Co...English composer Frederic Austin fitted the words to a traditional melody, to which he added his own two - bar motif for "Five gold rings". Many of the decisions Austin made with regard to the lyrics subsequently became widespread: </P> <Ul> <Li> The initial "on" at the beginning of each verse . </Li> <Li> The use of "calling birds", rather than "colly birds", on the fourth day . </Li> <Li> The ordering of the final four verses . </Li> </Ul> <Li> The initial "on" at the beginning of each verse . </Li> <Li> The use of "calling birds", rather than "colly birds", on the fourth day . </Li>

List of gifts in the 12 days of christmas carol