The poem we will be discussing in this article is “Poor Mary,” which is sometimes also known as “Poor Jenny”. It is one of the most famous nursery rhymes and songs in Europe, specifically Britain. The key takeaways from this article are:
Poor Mary
Poor Mary Lyrics
Poor Mary Nursery Rhyme: An Introduction
The nursery rhyme “Poor Mary” has various different versions, each with a slight variation in the lyrics majorly revolving around the name, which sometimes being Mary or Jenny or Sally, etc. There are more than a hundred versions registered in Britain to date.
Poor Mary
The nursery rhyme or poem “Poor Mary” serves as both a song for children and a singing game very popular among children. The tune of the song is widely known mainly all around Europe and is recorded in the first section of the La Bourrée des Galvachers which is a French collection of tunes for nursery rhymes. The song also appeared in the first Piano Concerto by Dmitri Shostakovich.
The poem can also be considered a singing game. In the game, one of the children is given the role of Mary or Jenny. Then the selected child has to kneel in the focus of the circle, mostly with their head in their hands.
In contrast, the other children hold hands and revolve around the selected Mary or Jenny in a circle, usually singing the song's first verse. The selected Mary or Jenny has to simultaneously carry out the actions mentioned in the verse of the song, most importantly the action of choosing a partner mentioned in the song.
Poor Marry Singing Game
Poor Mary Lyrics
We will state the Poor Mary Lyrics in this section:
Poor Jenny is a-weeping,
A-weeping, a-weeping,
Poor Jenny is a-weeping
On a bright summer's day.
Why are you weeping,
Weeping, weeping,
Why are you weeping,
On a bright summer's day?
I'm weeping for a loved one,
A loved one, a loved one,
I'm weeping for a loved one,
On a bright summer's day?
Stand up and choose your loved one,
Your loved one, your loved one,
Stand up and choose your loved one,
On a bright summer's day.
Shake hands before you leave 'er,
You leave 'er, you leave 'er,
Shake hands before you leave 'er,
On a bright summer's day.
A Bright Summer Day
Why Was Poor Jenny Weeping?
The poem “Poor Mary” or “Poor Jenny”, talks about our main character, Jenny who is seen weeping on a bright summer day. Later we find out the reason why Jenny is weeping, which is because of her lover.
Sample Questions
1. What is the most important action that Mary has to perform while playing the singing game?
Ans: The poem can also be considered as a singing game, in which a child is selected or chosen as Mary or Jenny, and then they perform the actions mentioned in the lyrics of the poem. The action which is considered the most important one is Mary choosing a partner, as mentioned in one of the last verses of the song.
2. Complete the given verse by filling in the blanks with the most appropriate words:
I'm weeping for a _______,
A loved one, a loved one,
I'm _______ for a loved one,
On a _______ summer's day.
Answers:
I'm weeping for a loved one,
A loved one, a loved one,
I'm weeping for a loved one,
On a bright summer's day
Summary
The poem or nursery rhyme “Poor Mary” is a very well-known song as well as a singing game among the children. The lyrics of the song were mentioned above in the article, and in the singing game one of the children playing is chosen as Mary or Jenny and they then carry out all the actions mentioned in the lyrics of the song while all the other children surround the chosen Mary or Jenny singing along to the song. The poem or song has several different versions; more than a hundred versions are recorded all over Europe.
FAQs on Poor Mary
1. Who is Poor Jenny?
Jenny is the main character in the poem “Poor Jenny”, and she is considered poor because, in the poem, we see Jenny weeping for a loved one.
2. What is a singing game?
A singing game, by proper definition, is a game usually played by children in which they can accompany their actions with the lyrics and tune of the song and may also add a narrative to their actions through the song. Such games are very popular among children.
3. Give some other examples of nursery rhymes.
Nursery rhymes are usually short poems which usually contain information about a certain thing which is repeated throughout the poem making it easy to remember and memorise and making it fun at the same time. Some of the most famous nursery rhymes are:
Poor Jenny
Rain Rain Go Away
Pussy Cat Pussy Cat
Oats, Beans, Peas and Barley Grow.
The poem we will be discussing in this article is “Poor Mary,” which is sometimes also known as “Poor Jenny”. It is one of the most famous nursery rhymes and songs in Europe, specifically Britain. The key takeaways from this article are:
Poor Mary
Poor Mary Lyrics
