This track stumbles terrified through the cellars and attics of England's haunted house. These famous nursery rhymes are reliably said to record the gothic cruelties of opposing religious regimes during the Reformation.

Mary Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.

Goosey goose gander
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs
And in my lady's chamber.
A priesthole for the old Guy
Who crossed the new State God,
The left-footed southpaw
Gutted for His Love.

Mary Tudor, Bishop Gardner
Killing and Torturing Prots,
Silver thumbscrews, Manhood carvers,
Maidening their anti-Mary plots.
Anti-Mary maddening their plots.

The Queen of Heaven's makeless idol
Of childless Mary Tudor and of Scots,
Maids in waiting, headless-churchbells,
Pilgrim badges, nuns and empty cots.

Goosey goose gander
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs
And in my lady's chamber.
There I met an old man
Who would not say his prayers.
I took him by the left leg
And threw him down the stairs.

Mary Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.

Music video - youtu.be/TDCbetcIG2I



A Haunted House (England)

A marriage (and we are actually married, 45 years so far) of melody and rhythm. We do folk, indie, Americana, Norfolk noir, beat poems &  ghazals. Traditional tunes with contemporary beats. Music videos  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb8wV0-DNiFs1R5G2VSytBQ
Maz lead & harmony vocals, acoustic guitar. Gaz vocals, voice, bass, drums & percussion, harmonium, recorders, lyre harp, field recordings.

A Haunted House (England)

Peacock's Tale Musical Storytelling