Famous Dog
Poems and Dog Poetry - Dog Nursery Rhymes & their Secret
Messages !
We have dedicated this section of
the site to famous Dog poems, poetry and even some favourite
dog nursery rhymes and their secret messages!
Hark hark
the dogs do bark
A sinister tale - "Hark, hark the dogs do bark" rhyme dates
back to 13th century England. The origin of "Hark, hark the
dogs do bark", reflected in the words, is seeped in history.
Wandering minstrels or troubadours and beggars went from city
to town singing their songs (some in rags and some in tags and
one in a velvet gown) Messages of dissent to the common people
were often found in secret meanings to the words of their
ballads and rhymes. The famous Peasant's Revolt of 1377
against the state was encouraged and inflamed by the rhyme
that went "When Adam delved and Eve span - who was then the
gentleman?" In this way the propaganda of the day was safely
passed from one community to another. These secret messages
could lead to plots and uprisings against the royalty, clergy
and politicians of the day. Strangers were never trusted in
communities. Dogs barking alerted the townspeople to strangers
in their area, hence the words "Hark, hark the dogs do bark
..."
Hark hark the dogs do
bark
The beggars are coming to town
Some in rags and some in tags
And one in a velvet gown.
Old
Mother Hubbard
Origins of Old Mother Hubbard lyrics in British history
The Old Mother Hubbard referred to in this rhyme's words
allude to the famous Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
was the most important statesman and churchman of the Tudor
history period in 16th century England. Cardinal Wolsey proved
to be a faithful servant but displeased the King, Henry VIII,
by failing to facilitate the King's divorce from Queen
Katherine of Aragon who had been his queen of many years. The
reason for seeking the divorce and hence the creation of the
Old Mother Hubbard poem was to enable him to marry Anne Boleyn
with whom he was passionately in love. In the Old Mother
Hubbard song King Henry was the "doggie" and the "bone" refers
to the divorce (and not money as many believe) The cupboard
relates to the Catholic Church although the subsequent divorce
arranged by Thomas Cramner resulted in the break with Rome and
the formation of the English Protestant church and the demise
of Old Mother Hubbard - Cardinal Wolsey.
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To get her poor doggie a bone,
When she got there
The cupboard was bare
So the poor little doggie had none.
Dog Nursery
Rhymes
Our thanks to
www.rhymes.org.uk for allowing us to reproduce this
information on this section. We would recommend this site for
any interested in the
History and Origins of Nursery Rhymes. Of special interest
might be the rhyme " Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" - you won't
believe what this innocent little rhyme refers to!
Famous Dog Poems and Dog Poetry
Please click one of the following links to enjoy our selection of
Famous Dog Poems and Dog Poetry:
Famous Dogs and their Owners
The famous dogs and their stories make fascinating reading. Try out your
knowledge of dogs, including the famous dogs and their owners by visiting
our Dog Quiz - Can you make it to the 'Winner's Hall of Fame' ?
Dog Nursery Rhymes & their Secret
Messages
