Sunday 3 May 2009

Baa Baa Black Sheep


Just before Easter Carol Lawecki quoted the nursery rhyme "Mary had a little lamb" and tatted some lambs and of course Mary, which were all absolutely delightful.
This Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday, or Vocations Sunday and we are still celebrating Easter in church. I was so impressed with the little lambs I saw on Carol's site that I decided to tat some and as you see have included a black one. However, I've discovered that in some places saying "Baa Baa Black Sheep" isn't politically correct, and the rhyme has been changed to "Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep" - has the world gone that crazy?! The history of this rhyme goes back to the 13th Century. It relates to a tax imposed by the King on wool. One third went to the local Lord (the master) one-third to the Church (referred to as the Dame) and a third was for the farmer (who lives down the lane).
I have also found two more verses to the rhyme which have obviously been added recently, so I wonder if they have solved the problem about political correctness?

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.

Baa baa white sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir
Three needles full.
One to mend a jumper
One to mend a frock
And one for the little girl
With holes in her socks.

Baa baa grey sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir
Three bags full.
One for the kitten
One for the cats
And one for the guinea pigs
To knit some woolly hats.

Thanks to Martha Ess for the pattern and big sis for the link on her blog.

7 comments:

  1. Well in all my years teaching primary kids I never knew there were more verses to Mary, Mary!!!! You've enhanced my education, little sis!!! Love the lambs too.

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  2. Hi Sally, What a great idea with adding a black sheep to the flock. I will have to add one too! I didn't know about the three verses to this rhyme either.

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  3. Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep??? I never am politically correct and don't plan on starting now. I like the old traditions and verse of this nursery rhyme. Why change it. Didn't know there were more verses. Thanks for writing them out. :)

    I guess you could tat a sheep with rainbow varigated thread LOL!

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  4. Oh they are so cute! And the song brings back fond childhood memories. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. As a German I didn't know ANY of this verses but you should tat another GREY sheep, shouln't you?
    Thanks a lot for these cute little sheepies :-)

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  6. Thanks for the grey one in your next post!

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