I love digging into and dissecting old Mother Goose rhymes!

The first thing I noticed about this nursery rhyme is that Jack Horner is sitting in the corner; a place usually associated with punishment for a childhood mischief; so from this we may determine that Jack has done something naughty.  But he does not think he is naughty and in fact evaluates himself as a good boy, by virtue of either the existence of a plum in his pie, or by the fact that he himself has the power to extract it.  Both seem rather egotistical and out-of-keeping with how children would have been expected to behave in those long, long years past. So what has really happened here?

​It seems that there was an abbot in Glastonbury during the time of King Henry VIII who decided he would give twelve manor houses to the King.  By this he hoped to discourage the King in his plan to dissolve the Catholic monasteries.  The impending "Dissolution of the Monasteries" resulted in the terrible destruction that we see today when visiting the ruins of these magnificent structures; which aren't actually "ruins" at all, but the result of King Henry the VIII's willful destruction.  The story goes that Thomas Horner, a steward of the abbot, was sent to London with a Christmas Pie that contained the deeds to the twelve manor houses.  He "put in his thumb" and extracted the deed to one manor house ... which he kept for himself, and his descendants live in it to this day.  The alternate story is that he bought the manor house from the King.  Also quite plausible as, when he delivered the Christmas Pie, he may well have known what the pie contained and asked leave to purchase one of the houses.

Either way, it would seem that the writer of this rhyme viewed "Jack Horner" as a "naughty boy in the corner" (opportunist), who saw a "plum" (the manor house) ripe for the picking in the pie, and let him self-proclaim himself "a good boy" (deserving) who was justified in enjoying the good things in life.

So was Jack, in actuality, a naughty boy or a good boy?

"Don't step on a crack or you'll break your Mother's back" (old nursery rhyme)

"The straw that broke the camel's back" (minor annoyances add up to a breaking point)

"Don't break your back" (don't work hard for no result/recognition)

"Rock-a-bye baby" is such a well-known Mother Goose nursery rhyme.  Written with several different variations and popularized in song, it could mean, and has been interpreted to mean, so many different things (political, historical or maternal/post-partum feelings).  I think, in an attempt to explain what appears to be a very negative situation!  But what if it actually describes a joyous event?

One interpretation I haven't found yet, and which seems plain to me, is that it could describe the process of birth.  The tree top (Mom) is high up indeed for a little baby.  The wind blows (Mom or Mother Nature) giving all those life-sustaining needs to baby through the umbilical cord; which makes the cradle "rock" (ie function properly and do what it was designed to do).  When the bough (water) breaks, the cradle (amniotic sac) will fall ... and down will come baby ... cradle and all.

                                                                                                                                      Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2020 ​

Cinderella climbs the ranks in society and in wealth, even as she climbs the stairs to the palace.  The Shoemaker and Puss n' Boots make good on that as well.  In fact, Puss is smart enough to ASK for the boots, as this kitty-cat already knows they are the necessary item to start on a successful journey to status and riches!  Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz) and Karen (The Red Shoes) both have spiritual awakenings and realize that "happiness can be found anywhere", even in poverty or uncomfortable circumstances or surroundings.  Wynken, Blynken & Nod have, at the same time, already arrived and still have a long way to go.  They can afford to literally reach for the stars as they're dreaming safe in bed with a Mother's Love overseeing their slumber.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses require a lot more study - there is just too much going on there and lots of variations to the story.   And the Poor Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe?  There are many analogies suggested for its possible political meaning, but perhaps she is simply trapped in circumstances.  Shoes tied to the back of the wedding carriage, symbolize both a binding contract and fertility.  Well, she certainly got both of those in spades!  It is perhaps a warning to be wary of what a simple pair of shoes can do for you ... be mindful where yours take you.

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017

Some Mother Goose verses are real noodle-scratchers that puzzle us and beg to be deciphered ... this one, however, speaks plain and simple.  Johnny would like to play outside and it would be a lot more pleasant to do so if it weren't raining.

Yet if you look closer, a spell emerges from this simple children's rhyme. I love to find the magic in the everyday around us!