Mary Had a Little Lamb

How many times have heard the children's classic song, Mary Had a Little Lamb? Dozens upon dozens, probably. And I bet you've never thought about the words having a greater meaning beyond simply being a sweet lullaby. I know that I didn't... Here's a little history behind this children's classic.

"Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb. Mary had a little lamb. It's fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went. Everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day, school one day, school one day. It followed her to school one day, which was against the rules. It made the children laugh and play, laugh and play, laugh and play. It made the children laugh and play to see the lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out, turned it out, turned it out. And so the teacher turned it out, but still it lingered near. And waited patiently about, patiently about, patiently about. And waited patiently about, till Mary did appear.

Why does Mary love the lamb so, the lamb so, the lamb so? Why does Mary love the lamb so, the eager children cried? And the teacher then replied, then replied, then replied. And the teacher then replied, because the lamb first loved Mary, you know."

Most nursery rhymes have basis in historical fact. They were sung in the nursery so the nannies could pass along thoughts and ideas that were not safe to speak of in public. This nursery rhyme was written during a time of religious oppression. In the song, Mary is referring to the mother of Jesus. The lamb is referring to........ you guessed it..... Jesus. Read the words again to the lullaby, thinking this time about Mary and Jesus, as well as the separation of church and state and the impact it has on our public school system. This classic song will take on an entirely new meaning for you. It did for me!