All Info About Nursery Rhymes
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
Origin
The Mary in this rhyme is commonly supposed to be Mary Queen of Scots. She was considered frivolous by some of the people of the time as she was young, pretty, Roman Catholic and had arrived from France with 'French ways.' She was waited on by four ladies in waiting; Mary Beaton, Mary Seaton, Mary Fleming and Mary Livingstone, it's possible that they may be the 'pretty maids all in a row.'
Some versions of this rhyme start with the words 'Mistress Mary.'
Some versions of this rhyme start with the words 'Mistress Mary.'