2 years, 9 months ago
Nursery Rhyme Origins #6 Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary.
What is the origin of this nursery rhyme?
If there are varying or conflicting ideas, what are they and which do you think is closest to the truth?
If there are varying or conflicting ideas, what are they and which do you think is closest to the truth?
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M$1 Answer
There are at least two opposing views. One is that Mary, Mary is Mary Queen of Scots, whom, it was thought by some, was frivolous, also she had 4 ladies in waiting. The second, and most common view, is that this nursery rhyme referred to Mary Tudor (Mary I of England), daughter of Henry VIII, who was also known as Bloody Mary. In this interpretation the "garden" refers to the number of graveyards that developed under her reign, silver bells and cockle shells were instruments of torture, and maids all in a row refers to an early guillotine device.
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M$
Wow, the second view is pretty morbid! :s