Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" |
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Illustration by William Wallace Denslow
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| Nursery rhyme | |
| Published | c. 1744 |
"Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" is an English nursery rhyme. The rhyme has been seen as having religious and historical significance, but its origins and meaning are disputed. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19626.
Lyrics
The most common modern version is:
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
The oldest known version was first published in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book (1744) with the lyrics that are shown here:
Mistress Mary, Quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With Silver Bells, And Cockle Shells,
And so my garden grows.
Several printed versions of the 18th century have the lyrics:
Mistress Mary, Quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With Silver Bells, And Cockle Shells,
Sing cuckoos all in a row.
The last line has the most variation including:
Cowslips all in a row [sic].
and
With lady bells all in a row.
