medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The version I know has a second verse and this involves appropriate actions
to the words:
(Hold hands in a circle and walk round to the left singing:)
"Oats and beans and barley grow,
Oats and beans and barley grow.
You nor I nor nobody knows
How oats and beans and barley grows."
(Stand still, drop hands.)
"First the farmer sows his seed, "
(make casting motions with right hand while holding up imaginary apron full
of seed in the other)
"Then he stands and takes his ease, "
(stand still)
"Stamps his foot and claps his hand, "
(stamp; clap)
"And turns around to view the land. "
(pivot on the spot holding right hand over brows.)
This will add to the fun for small child.
I do not know of any date. I suspect that the second verse is meant to
underline the simple botanical fact that once the seed is sown, the farmer
has little control over the harvest but must wait upon God's good time ...
and weather .... and pests .....
Mediaeval man was always one harvest away from famine, I seem to remember
reading somewhere.
BTW was not pease pudding the great dietry standby for monasteries during
Lent ?? Nutritious but very dull.
Brenda M. C.
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