The Real Meaning Behind Nursery Rhymes

Hark Hark the Dogs do bark

HARK HARK THE DOGS DO BARK

I'm pretty sure just br reading the poem you know it's cruel right? But it's even more sinister then what it lets you believe.

It refers to the Dissolution of the Monasteries perpetrated by King Henry VIII and his chief minister Thomas Cromwell, when England broke from the Catholic religion. Their objective was to loot the monasteries and seize the monastic lands (which they promptly sold) thus increasing the wealth in the coffers of England. This resulted in monks begging in the streets and reflected in the lyrics of 'Hark, Hark the dogs do bark'
Or - In 1688 William of Orange brought his Dutch followers to England - it is suggested that the person referred do as being 'one in a velvet gown' was William himself and the beggars referred to his Dutch associates.


Lyrics.

Hark hark the dogs do bark
The beggars are coming to town
Some in rags and some in jags*
And one in a velvet gown.

decoding

Hark hark the dogs do bark

The beggars are coming to town

Some in rags and some in jags

Wandering minstrels or troubadours and beggars went from city to town singing their songs

And one in a velvet gown


That's all it really told me except also that this was decoded to keep from being beheaded.
I'll edit the chapter once I find out more.