This blog starts out with the intention of mentioning, exploring or telling at least one folk story, tale, piece of lore or song per day. As such I could see no better way of starting than with one of my personal favourites.
One for sorrow,
Two for Joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for Silver,
Six for Gold,
Seven for a Secret Never to be Told,
Eight for a Wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a Bird you must not Miss.
When growing up I was taught this song, and it has stuck with me since. It interests me that such a common bird might be so linked with superstition and bad luck. For instance when you see one Magpie out on its own (One for Sorrow) you would say 'Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr Magpie, how's your wife'. It is likely that despite no longer being seen as an ill omen in this country that it was seen as such up until the Early Modern Period with the song having Georgian roots. In the 19th century book, A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, a proverb concerning magpies is recited: "A single magpie in spring, foul weather will bring". In Scotland a single magpie near the window of a home foretells death. In Norway they are seen as the birds of the Hulder; who depending on place and sometimes profession can be seen bearers of good or ill will.
The Magpie (The Eurasian Magpie in this case) is a highly intelligent member of the crow family. Many members of this family group have been cast as harbingers of ill luck, most notably the Raven. Not helped perhaps by their nature as carrion birds or by their black colouring. This extreme intelligence has been shown by the species in their surprisingly extravagant grieving rituals. One for sorrow might, in my opinion, be a mention of this aspect of their behaviour.
Whatever this reason for this interesting rhyme it is a tradition I intend to treasure for years to come.
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