There are many interpretations to this curious nursery rhyme, dating to the 18th century. It’s been traced to the 16th-century practice of placing live songbirds in a pie (who wouldn’t want live animals flying out of their prepared food?), to various historical events and folklorish symbol...
In Europe, blackbirds were often hunted and, as the old nursery rhyme goes, "baked in a pie." More “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” Resources External Resources The Thrilling Mind of Wallace Stevens — An interesting article about Stevens's life and work. A Reading of the ...