12 Days of Christmas on the Isthmus

In the Panama Canal Zone, this was kind of a big deal.  Every Christmas on the Southern Command Network, Christmas on the Isthmus:

 

Cal Hackman and  Pete Franquet   recorded this song in the SCN studio in 1969 or 1970.  The song was written by a young girl named Carrie Ellis.  Pete played it on his radio program and it became a hit.  I'm trying to locate a copy of the tape.  We were still playing it ten years later.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —

a pico feo in a mango tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
two crocodiles...

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
three kinkajoos...

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
four screaming buzzards...

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
five coconuts...

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
six gato solos...

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
seven golden frogs...

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
eight boa constrictors...

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
nine armadillos...

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
ten green iguanas...

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
eleven traipsing tapirs...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me —
twelve fat conejos...
eleven traipsing tapirs, ten green iguanas, nine armadillos,
eight boa constrictors, seven golden frogs, six gato solos,— five coconuts —
four screaming buzzards, three kinkajoos, two crocodiles
and
a pico feo in a mango tree!!


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