Sing a Song of Sixpence: Dark Secrets Revealed

Dive into the intriguing world of nursery rhymes with our latest video, as we uncover the enigmatic origins of the classic tune, "Sing a Song of Sixpence." 🕵️‍♂️ From the pages of the Bible to tales of pirates, syphilis, and even whispers of cannibalism, join us on a journey through history as we explore the diverse theories surrounding this seemingly innocent nursery rhyme.

🏴‍☠️ Pirates and Plunder: Did "Sing a Song of Sixpence" originate from the world of swashbuckling pirates? Discover the connection between the rhyme and the high seas, where tales of treasure and treachery unfold.

📖 Biblical Beginnings: Uncover the biblical theories that link this nursery rhyme to religious texts, exploring the possibility of hidden meanings and moral lessons passed down through generations.

🦠 Syphilis and Scandal: Could the rhyme be a covert commentary on historical events, such as the spread of syphilis? Join us as we delve into the darker side of history and the potential symbolism behind the verses.

🍴 Cannibalistic Connotations: Brace yourself for a thought-provoking exploration into the controversial theory of cannibalism associated with "Sing a Song of Sixpence." Could there be hidden messages about society lurking within the seemingly innocent lyrics?

🕰️ Historical Whirlwind: Take a trip through time as we navigate the historical landscape that may have influenced the creation of this nursery rhyme. From ancient origins to the 1800s, we'll uncover the cultural context that shaped the song.

🧐 Theories Galore: Join us in examining various theories and interpretations that have evolved over the centuries, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of "Sing a Song of Sixpence."

🔍 Unlock the Secrets: As we piece together the puzzle of this timeless nursery rhyme, you'll be left questioning what you thought you knew about the innocent songs of childhood. Don't miss out on this captivating journey through history and mystery!

👍 If you enjoy unravelling historical enigmas and diving into the hidden meanings of nursery rhymes, be sure to hit the like button, subscribe for more intriguing content, and ring the notification bell to stay updated on our latest videos. Share your thoughts in the comments below – what's your take on the origins of "Sing a Song of Sixpence"?

#darkhistory #history #weirdhistory #nurseryrhymeorigins #darkorigins

CHAPTERS:
00:32 Revisiting the Rhyme
02:03 Culinary Marvels
04:21 "Nose Out of Joint"
06:27 Hidden treasure?
08:48 The Great Bible
10:36 Ancient rituals
13:41 Cannibals?
16:27 Syphilis

SUPPORT:
Some incredibly kind souls have offered to support the channel further. If you're inclined to 'buy me a coffee,' here is the link:

SOURCES:
British chef Heston Blumenthal re-enacted putting live birds in a pie in 2010, except he substituted pigeons:

Iona and Peter Opie, The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes (Oxford University Press, 1951, 2nd ed., 1997)

#NurseryRhymes #HistoryMystery #SingASongOfSixpence #HiddenMeanings #HistoryUncovered #PiratesOfThePast #BiblicalOrigins #HistoricalTheories #SyphilisInHistory #DarkOrigins #CulturalHistory #RhymeAnalysis #MysteryRevealed
#NurseryRhymeHistory #CuriousMinds

[MattFlatt]

The part about the maids nose makes me think of syphilis as that caused many a person in those days to lose a nose

[trevorhoward]

As a child growing up in the 1960's, sixpences were my favourite coins and my first pocket money was sixpence a week. Blackbirds are my favourite bird. My Grandmother taught me to stop, listen and love their song. As I write this now, in mid March, Blackbirds have, in just the past week or so, begun singing at dawn again, though it will be a while before I hear the best of their singing which will come in the evenings as they mark their territories. .
So Sing A Song Of Sixpence is, and always was, my favourite nursery rhyme and I am glad to learn of it's possible origins and meanings.
Incidentally, one sunny summer Sunday afternoon last year, I strayed into a pub I visit infrequently on the fringes of my territory in South Shropshire. There I met a chap who showed me an Elizabeth I silver sixpence, dated 1561, which he had discovered that afternoon with a metal detector. I held it in my palm for a few moments and it felt magical.

[gordonbrown]

The lady voice-over has a remarkably beautiful speaking voice.

[ruthlewis]

I would think that while this story took 20 minutes to tell, it took years to research. Fascinating. And thank you.

[NoahSpurrier]

Forced to kiss the hem of the queen’s gown and giving birth within days of each other to children fathered by the same man is one certainly one recipe for tensions.

[fabiosplendido]

She made such a commotion
that little Jenny Wren
flew down into the garden
and put it back again

[ihavehabit]

I thought the rhyme referenced the Catholic persecutions, ie the 24 blackbirds were priests and they were burned. I have no idea about the origination of the following verses.

[jannetteberends]

The song is also used in a book by Agatha Christy, that’s how I know this song. I’m Dutch and it’s not part of our nursery rimes. The nose thing always bothered me, because it was the only impossible part of the song. But the magpie stealing a false nose make sense.

[drfill]

If you are going to reference the printing of the bible as a theory, it's interesting to note that the original author of the English bible translated from Latin was Tyndall. He was tried and burned for heracy for his translation work- yet a few years later, that book (now called the king James bible) was the accepted text of the church of England. So pie or pyre could refer to Tyndall. Perhaps counting money is a reference to the king profiting as the author was dead.

[memorylayne]

I love the amount of detailed research you put into these videos. I’ve always wondered at the significance of 24 blackbirds. As a child in the US, I thought the pocket full of rye was to feed the birds when they were released. There was an animated version of this that showed the birds singing to the king when he cut it open. My innocent child’s mind never questioned that the birds were alive inside the pie.

[dalee.mccombs]

I think your first, historically based analysis is most feasible! I learned many of the old nursery rhymes when I was a child !

[KeithPrince-cpme]

Incredible research, detective work, analysis and insight. The last and first explanations seem the most plausible, while the first offering seems the most literal as it appears an English tale that would tend towards the home grown explanation. I studied typography at college, yes I'm that old, and we used the pica measurement curiously with pica referring to Magpies there are folk legends that Magpies could talk. Ive heard it said that this notion of talking Magpies was connected to the typographic unit, words being translated into print.

[frenchhens]

I love your channel! There's so much to know about the history/evolution of nursery rhymes and folk poetry. I especially like how you don't say that only one meaning is the right one.

[Robert-crbq]

Somewhen in the 70's I heard that the rhyme was to do with the growth of protestantism. The blackbirds be protestants sing their beliefs. The version I knew it was a blackbid (protestant) pecking off the maids nose, in other words, she had been converted and loosing her nose (or sole) because of it.
So, the rhyme could be a warning by the Roman Catholic Church that you would go to hell in you became a protestant.
Interesting point about Magpies. Their latin name is Pica Pica.
Love this series. Hopefully, there will be many more interpritations of rhymes in your series. Thank you.

[saddaddrummer]

We have several The Pye Family Memorials in our All Saint's Church and a street named after him. He was the son of Henry Pye senior who owned the manor house here. Growing up we have always been told that the rhyme was about him and our town for decades dined out on the notoriety of that event. When Henry senior died in 1766 he left his son with debts of fifty thousand then the manor house burned down, nowadays I would class that as having a bad day. Great story telling again.🤗🤗

[ruthtruthinireland]

I always knew it with the very last line, " she made such a commotion that little Jenny wren, flew down into the garden and put it on again".... does this have any significance at all? or perhaps it was only added so that small children wouldn't be upset!

[PersephoneRising]

The part about the blackbirds baked in the pie always disturbed me as a kid, and now, even more! People can be such cruel monsters 😣

[thealaidlaw]

My Darkling friend, this must be one of your best, the work you do to delve into the forgotten history is wonderful, I send many dark blessings to you 🌔🧙‍♀️🕷

[maureenfitzpatrick]

This is the first time I’ve listened to “The Resurrectionist”. Her voice and unique content required me to subscribe. Beautifully executed with period art, analysis of the period’s use of language and historical social knowledge is superb. Thank you. ❤❤

[Lee-jhcr]

Absolutely love the background music - very mystical faerie. Reminds me of a peaceful summer night watching fireflies! Never outgrew faerie tales & nursery rhymes!