Baa Baa Black Sheep Exposed: The Dark Meaning Behind the Rhyme

"Baa Baa Black Sheep" is a beloved nursery rhyme with a seemingly innocent exterior, but did you know it might hide a dark and intriguing history? In this video, we dive into the surprising origins and hidden meanings behind this familiar rhyme. 🌑✨

Explore theories that range from connections to the medieval wool trade's corruption and inequality to the possible symbolism of Cardinal Wolsey's abuse of power in Tudor England. Join us as we uncover the secrets of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and reveal the fascinating, darker side of this timeless nursery rhyme. Don't miss this deep dive into history and folklore! 📜🔎

#NurseryRhymeDarkMeanings #BaaBaaBlackSheepDarkMeaning #HiddenHistory #MysteryUnveiled #DarkOrigins

[alaricgoldkuhl]

My mum raised Moorits, a sheep with dark wool. Her neighbours who raised white sheep warned that if any got out onto their property they'd be shot on sight.
The reason was that if a single dark "hair" got onto the fleece of the white sheep it would be ruined for sale as the quality of the fleece would be downgraded. I imagine that this is the source of the "black sheep" insult, as having such a person in the family reduced the entire family's reputation.

[GrandOldMovies]

Fascinating how many of these rhymes may have their origins in popular resistance to economic exploitation of the poor and working class. They seem to function as a kind of grassroots protest or satire against upper-class manipulation, and so probably go well beyond a function as children's amusement. Thanks again for another great video!

[mdshaler]

Love hearing, "Welcome back Darklings!"

[jeanglendinning]

several years ago, before we retired my husband and i used to breed black sheep . they were merino x romney, and were popular among people who were hand spinners, I always associated the rhyme with the wool trade and taxation by the king.

[silva]

Your videos are historical, educational, and beautiful works of art. Not many youtubers can say that.

[michaeltelson]

In a British history course I took it was mentioned that Henry of Bolingbrook (IV) was awarded the wool monopoly before he became king. This gave him control of the wool trade to the Low Countries.

[kevinluckham]

My theory is that it represents Sumptuary Laws. Black Wool would have been rare and only priests and royalty would have been allowed to wear it publicly. My Master is the church, The Dame was Elizabeth I. None for the boy in the lane because it would have been illegal for him to display it.

[marksingleton]

Truly fleeced.
Literally taking the clothes off your back.

[saddaddrummer]

I go for the religious version as people despised the greed and hypocrisy of the church and would I imagine take solace in the rhymes they made up were poking fun behind the backs of the clergy. As always L, beautifully presented.

[willashby]

As always, beautifully described! I always thought it concerned wool tax but never knew quite how important the wool trade was to England in those centuries! Thank you!

[mauricebate]

Somethings don't change taxing the poor 😤 another wonderful narrated story always love to hear the choice you give us to try and make us think about 👍🏼 please keep them coming and a massive thank you 🤗🌹

[DonP_is_lostagain]

I'm not sure about the Wolsey connection, however, certainly the 3 bags full makes sense if you look at the Master being the King, the Dame referencing the Church (the Bride of Christ), and the little boy who cries in the lane as the commoners who never benefitted (and still don't) from the machinations of the rich in trying to get richer. Though, of course the King would also have represented the government as well, so a sort of double meaning in Master.

[kerryfry]

Raa raa Rishi
Have you any gruel?
No sir no sir he's just cruel
Nothing for hospitals
Nothing for the schools
Everything for the filthy rich, that make the rules.

[whiterabbit-wohw]

These "nursery rhymes " are getting better all the time.
Who would have thunk that such sweet, innocent, and harmless words could hold such dark and diabolical meaning.
I believe that Cardnial Woolsey is the true character in the rhyme of bah bah black sheep
He is the wolf in "black" sheep's clothing.
" Jack be nimble, Jack be quick..." Maybe coming up?

[melissadahl]

This was one of the ones that was always so nonsensical to me that I didn't have any idea that it had real meaning, so it's always great to hear ideas!

[jessecaple]

Your notification bell always gets my tomb opened and drags me into the light of day for that all too short interlude of velvet voiced information. Thanks so much for these wonderful posts...they force me to get some vitamin D🧛🏻‍♂️😁🥰😘

[altair]

Darkling here, was desperate to see this one, and was not disappointed! I just wondered whether 'lane' served any purpose other than the near rhyme with 'dame'. From Brighton local history sites we learn that 'lane' and 'laine' are subtly different in meaning: laine was a division of agricultural land derived from 'loan' or 'lease'. The said land was divided into furlongs, and in this part of Sussex at least, futher reduced into arable strips, aka laines. They are all at the foot of The Downs. North of Brighton there were five of them.The same site claims the etymological origin of 'lane' is unknown whereas 'laine' comes from Anglo-Saxon. According to the OED its first evidentially recorded use is from 1794 in the Annals of Agriculture.

Is there more mud to scrape off the boots of this one?

And just to muddy things further, 'laine' is of course French for wool!

Thank you so much for looking into this. I look forward to more of your methodical and beautifully presented work.

[hArtyTruffle]

Abuse of power and wealth should have, by law, the harshest of consequences.

[Tybold]

In Sweden this rhyme/song has transformed to "Bä bä vita lamm" which is actually "bah bah white sheep" . This translation and adaption was made by Ottilia Adelborg 1890 and later assigned music by Alice Tegnér a cople years later. So this was very interesting background story from what I as a child thought was a very innocent rhyme.
(I didn't know it before it until I saw the resemblance of the english wordings) Cheers!

[douglascharnley]

Taxes, taxes, taxes, governments just love to tax the people.