One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.
Seven for a secret not to be told.
Eight for heaven, nine for hell,
And ten for the devil's own sel'.
Counting Rhyme (from The Folklore of Birds, by Laura C. Martin, 1993)
12 comments:
Sometimes it seems like the crows are having a family reunion in our woods and their 'conversations' are almost deafening!
I think there was a mystery series somewhere with some of those lines as titles. How do you suppose a superstition like that gets started? And wasn't it originally magpies? Hope your new year is off to a good start, Vicki!
Lots of crows here too, and noisy as Pat mentioned. I believe it was Phyllis Whitney who had a book title "Seven for a Secret" based on this rhyme about crows. I'm glad you posted it, because I couldn't remember anything but the one line (seven for a secret never to be told) and it comes to mind every time I see the crows gathered!
Tammy
There's something a little magical about crows -- such big birds and so very smart.
I know they can be murderous as well as noisy but I'm fond of them.
It's very hard to get their pictures as they're so wary. Most of these were taken through the closed window -- and if I moved in the least, they were off!
Our countryside wouldn't be the same without Crows. The mystery, symbolism and associated superstition ranks them among the most enigmatic of our feather friends.
I did not know these lines about crows, it’s catchy. I like crows and will try to photograph them whenever I can. In French they are called “corneilles” and in Asia they are good luck.
I think crows carry a lot of symbolism in every culture, Martin -- enigmatic birds.
It's a traditional counting rhyme, Vagabonde, probably from England originally. There are several variations.
Hola Vicky, it looks much better outside your yard, snow is going away, isn´t it?? Crows are coming to feed themselves and you are counting them... how nice!!
Cariños,
Maria Cecilia
Alas, it's snowing right now, Maria Cecelia! I think I'll pop over to your place and enjoy the roses.
That was another very interesting post. You might be interested in the following article, which appeared in the Daily Mail a few weeks ago. It tells about how our magpies grieve when one of their number dies.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1221754/Magpies-grieve-dead-turn-funerals.html
Blessings, Star
Thanks for the link, Star! What an interesting article. And aren't those magpies handsome birds?
This counting rhyme (Is this similar to a nursery rhyme?) recalls to me some Agatha Christie's novels!
I love your set of photos, and that of the new snow .
here, in normandy, it pours !
as we say in french:"un vrai temps de Toussaint"
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