Mary had a little lamb

有名な「メリーさんの羊」は、民間伝承の唄ではなく、割と新しいものです。実話をもとにしているようで、モデルとなった少女メアリー・ソーヤーはその出来事を見ていたジョン・ラウルストーンという青年に前半3連の詩をもらいました。後半3連は、セアラ・ジョセファ・ヘイル夫人が作り、1830年に雑誌に発表されたということです。

エジソンが1877年に作った蓄音機に吹き込んだ最初の唱はこの曲でした。

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow;
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go

.
It foloowed her to school one day,
That was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turnedit out,
But still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about
Till Mary did appear.

Then it ran to her and laid
It's head upon her arm,
As if it said, "I'm not afraid
You'll keep me from her harm."

Why dose the lamb love Mary so?
The eager children cry;
Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,
The teacher did reply.

"And you, each gentle animal
In confidence may bind,
And make it follow you at will,
If you are only kind."