This song was published during a
time in England when there were many
publications that contained double meanings (for
example, the nursery rhyme "Baa Baa Black Sheep Have
You
Any Wool" was believed by many to refer to the tax
system. Where the 3 bags of wool created by the peasant
had to be given away.
One to the master (the King or
Royalty), one to the Dame (the landowners who rented to
the peasants), and one to the Little Boy who lives down
the lane (referencing the Church) leaving nothing for the peasant.
This was also occurring elsewhere in the world, most
notably in the United States where Benjamin Franklin
published many writings with double meanings, including
his most famous example: King Richards Almanac.
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