Nursery rhymes can bring back great memories of your childhood. The story behind many nursery rhymes are based on historical events and the lyrics were written regarding to royal and political events going on at the time. Many do not realize some of the most popular nursery rhymes are based on beheadings, murderers, and taxes. Here are a few examples of these types of nursery rhymes.
The words of this well-known nursery rhyme called “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" are: Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes, sir, yes, sir, Three bags full; One for the master, And one for the dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane
This is written about a tax on wool from the 13th century. The sale of wool from sheep was being …show more content…
It used to be 'And none for the little boy who cries down the lane'. This implied that the shepherd boys ended up poor with no money because of the large taxes. (White)
Another shocking nursery rhyme is "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" Peter Peter Pumkin eater, Had a wife and couldn't keep her! He put her in a pumpkin shell, And there he kept her very well!
Divorce was not an option at the time period this was written. This is about a man that had a wife that was possibly a prostitute and he grew tired of her cheating ways so he decided to murder her and hide her body in a giant pumpkin. (Bustle) There are no know changes to the nursery rhyme lyrics today.
"Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" is a nursery rhyme that seems very innocent but perhaps is the darkest one of all.
Mary Mary quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.
This nursery rhyme is about Queen Mary I of England. During her five year reign, she caused the murder of over 300 people. She was murdering so many people that opposed her, she got the nickname Bloody Mary. “How does your garden grow” is referring to the cemeteries that she was filling up with Protestants that opposed her. "With silver bells and cockle shells" are referencing the different devices she used to murder, torture, and behead. Silver bells are thumbscrews for crushing thumbs and cockle shells are were used to torture
The words of this well-known nursery rhyme called “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" are: Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes, sir, yes, sir, Three bags full; One for the master, And one for the dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane
This is written about a tax on wool from the 13th century. The sale of wool from sheep was being …show more content…
It used to be 'And none for the little boy who cries down the lane'. This implied that the shepherd boys ended up poor with no money because of the large taxes. (White)
Another shocking nursery rhyme is "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" Peter Peter Pumkin eater, Had a wife and couldn't keep her! He put her in a pumpkin shell, And there he kept her very well!
Divorce was not an option at the time period this was written. This is about a man that had a wife that was possibly a prostitute and he grew tired of her cheating ways so he decided to murder her and hide her body in a giant pumpkin. (Bustle) There are no know changes to the nursery rhyme lyrics today.
"Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" is a nursery rhyme that seems very innocent but perhaps is the darkest one of all.
Mary Mary quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.
This nursery rhyme is about Queen Mary I of England. During her five year reign, she caused the murder of over 300 people. She was murdering so many people that opposed her, she got the nickname Bloody Mary. “How does your garden grow” is referring to the cemeteries that she was filling up with Protestants that opposed her. "With silver bells and cockle shells" are referencing the different devices she used to murder, torture, and behead. Silver bells are thumbscrews for crushing thumbs and cockle shells are were used to torture