Mary, Mary, quite contrary, goes the nursery rhyme. To whom does it refer?
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Bells, And Cockle Shells, And so my garden grows.</poem> Several printed versions of the 18th century have the lyrics: <poem>Mistress Mary, Quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With Silver Bells, And Cockle Shells, Sing cuckolds all in a row.</poem> The last line has the most variation including: Cowslips all in arow [sic]. and With lady bells all in a row. Like many nursery rhymes, it has acquired various historical explanations. These include: No proof has been found that the rhyme was known before the 18th century, while Mary I of England and Mary, Queen of Scots, were contemporaries in
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary the 16th century. The nursery rhyme has been referenced several times in popular culture. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" is a popular English nursery rhyme. The rhyme has been seen as having religious and historical significance, but its origins and meaning are disputed. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19626. The most common modern version is: <poem>Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row. </poem> The oldest known version was first published in "Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book" (1744) with