Baa baa black sheep 'Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full, One for the master, one for the dame, And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.' Although this rhyme was first published in 1744 it is believed to have been around for much longer. In fact, it is thought that it was written in the Middle Ages during the reign of King Edward II (1307 - 1327). This seemingly innocent children's nursery rhyme about a black sheep yielding three bags of wool actually has political undertones like many of the nursery rhymes from that era. During the Middle Ages the wool industry in England was huge and wool was a very valuable commodity. England produced the best wool in Europe and peasants were required to pay their taxes in the form of sacks of wool. They gave a third to the King (the master), a third to the nobility (the dame) and they were allowed to keep the final third for themselves (the little boy who lived down the lane)
Comments
Luana - the things that go on in a pack of cards! I wonder if it's based on real life happenings.
Loopyloo - I love eating jam tarts too. I wish I could have found the other verses written out in full. They would have been great to read!