Who We Are

Cultures across the world have long invented songs, poems, and "nursery rhymes" as ways to teach their children. In 18th century Europe, these nursery rhymes were synonymous with Mother Goose, an imaginary author who would mask darker tales in sing-song verses for children. So as not to traumatize, stories of bloody wars, political tyrants, and religious persecution were spun with clever lyrics about animals and fantastical characters. In an homage to Mother Goose, Perversery Rhymes are seemingly childish rhymes about political controversies and shady figures of our time. Some material may not be suitable for children. For more information on the Mother Goose poems that inspired us, please check out "The Dark Side of Nursery Rhymes" by Clemency Burton-Hill.


Go to www.mentalfloss.com for more details of the following rhymes:

  • Baa Baa Black Sheep 1731   A tax levied on wool

  • Goosey Goosey Gander 1784   Catholic priests hiding from religious persecution.

  • Jack and Jill 1765   Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

  • Mary Mary Quite Contrary 1744   Queen Mary I of England (1553 - 1558) A Catholic who executed hundreds of protestants.

  • Three Blind Mice 1805   Three protestant bishops who conspired to overthrow Queen Mary I.

  • Ring around the Rosie 1881   The Great Plague of London

Go to www.historic-uk.com  for more details of the following rhymes:

  • Georgie Porgie 1850   King George IV

  • Pop goes the weasel 1850   The working poor in England

Go to www.education.com  for more details of the following rhymes:

  • Little Jack Horner 1764   A steward who embezzled from the Abbot of Glastonbury 

Please read The Dark Side of Nursery Rhymes from www.bbc.com  for more information on the origins of Mother Goose which inspired us.

 

Want to be part of this grand tradition? 

Buy Perversery Rhymes, Volume 1. Coming December 2020.