Little Jack Horner

The 1725 version:

Now he sings of Jacky Horner
Sitting in the Chimney-corner
Eating of a Christmas-Pie,
Putting in his thumb, Oh Fie
Putting in, Oh Fie! his Thumb
Pulling out, Oh Strange! a Plum.

Carey's Satirical Poem

Henry Carey wrote this nursery rhyme (the 1725 version) as a satirical poem. His target was Ambrose Philips, another poet and writer. Carey envied him because Philips enjoyed the favor of wealthy aristocrats. His poems, sometimes called “infantile” in style, were actually admired for their simplicity. Jack Horner, however, has ever since been associated with opportunism.

It’s worth noting that in older English culture, children were often made to sit in the corner as punishment. So Jack loudly praising himself while sitting there adds an extra layer of humor — he acts proud and innocent while appearing as someone who may already be in trouble.

The Manor in a Pie

Another interpretation of this nursery rhyme appeared in the nineteenth century. According to this version, the rhyme refers to Thomas Horner, a contemporary of King Henry VIII who served Richard Whiting, the head of the monastery in Glastonbury, England. Whiting sent Horner to Henry VIII with a large Christmas pie, inside of which were hidden the deeds to twelve manors — a desperate attempt to save the monastery at a time when Henry was breaking with the Catholic Church and seizing church property. During the journey, Horner supposedly stole one of the deeds — the deed to the manor at Mells — and later became its owner.

Despite receiving the other eleven manors, Henry VIII did not spare the monastery. It was closed down, and Whiting was accused of treason and executed.

Sheet music