Talk:Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

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The explanation I have always been told is that it was a queen who frequently had miscarriages and still-births. Hence 'how does your garden grow' referring to her womb, and 'pretty maids all in a row' because she buried each child in her garden. I cannot however, remember which Mary this was or what the 'silver bells and cockleshells' referred to.

Mary I of England, that would be, who remained childless through several miscarriages. Mary I of Scotland had at least one child, James, later James I of England and James VI(?) of Scotland. Eriathwen 12:35, July 25, 2005 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Personal Analysis

whose "personal analysis" is that on the main article? why does it deserve to be there? Alveolate 20:02, 28 May 2006 (UTC)

I removed it as being rather unencyclopedic. In case any of it can be incorporated, a copy is below. -- ALoan (Talk) 22:21, 28 May 2006 (UTC)
Doing a little research on slang from this period, I prefer the following analysis:
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary" inferes that Mary did not follow the social mores of the time.
"How does your garden grow" - a garden party was a common social event of the time.
"With silver bells" - a belle is a popular, attractive female.
"And cockle shells" - cockle bread was known as an aphrodisiac.
And pretty maids all in a row - Maid is also an archaic word for an unmarried woman or a virgin.

[edit] Missing Lines

Why does this article refer to a line in the song about killing rows and rows? I do not see this in the lyrics. 63.164.202.130 14:22, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] my own assumption

I've always assumed its a riddle, and that "Mary" is the sea (la Mer), and her garden is the sea bed (cockleshells). Although that doesn't explain the silverbells and marigolds. --Krsont 22:27, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Urban Legend

When I was around 10, I'd hear that this nursury rhyme was based on a likely untrue urban legend about Bloody Mary. That she was so vain about her looks if she spotted a young woman in her court more beautiful than her she'd have her beheaded, and she would put her head on display in her garden. Hence the "pretty maids in a row". Anyone else ever hear that urban legend? Inkan1969 19:53, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Quoted-Section

I cannot see where Mary Mary in Fforde's "The Big Over Easy" acts as described. In contrary, she tells the other officer the plant has not to be watered because it's plastic and he walks away saying "I'm a policeman, not a sodding gardener". (Hodder Paperback (Edition 2006), Chapter I, Page 2) Perhaps someone with another edition could cross-check it? 84.187.64.21 (talk) 09:52, 3 March 2008 (UTC) Caupano, 08-03-03