"There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile;
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house."
'This rhyme was first recorded by James Orchard Halliwell in the 1840s. Some say the town of Lavenham (Suffolk) is believed to have inspired this rhyme.'
Wikipedia
or this might be more relevant:
"There was a Crooked Man” originates from English Stuart history of King Charles I. The “crooked man” is said to allude to Scottish General Sir Alexander Leslie, who signed a treaty that secured Scotland’s freedom. “The crooked stile” represents the border wedged between England and Scotland. The English and Scots agreement is represented within the line “They all lived together in a crooked little house.” The rhyme refers to the uneasy peace between the two countries.'
Mother Goose Club
A fab "Play around" shot . One of the rhymes that delighted Gary as a toddler !! Was not familiar with the possible story to generate the rhyme --A fav for me !
I love this processing, so perfect for the old rhyme. The house reminds me of Green Knowe where Lucy Boston lived and wrote the Green Knowe series. Fav
Beryl, thanks - I knew nothing of the origins but thought the English-Scots connection was quite apt today!
Yes, and even when they are not political satire, I find a lot of nursery rhymes rather menacing,considering we read them to children!