Lavender’s Blue is a song about a man and women who fell in love to each other in the 16 century. It is unknown exactly who wrote the song, but believed to be by a man in love and perhaps wanting to give lavender to his love. The song originated in England, so the original author was likely British. Here is likely how nursery rhyme Lavender’s Blue spread around the world:
In 1948, Burl Ives sang Lavender’s Blue in a Walt Disney movie, So Dear to my Heart, and people were inspired by the song. The story is about a little boy name Jeremiah, who wanted to take care of a black sheep because his mother refused to feed him. Jeremiah’s grandmother did not like the black sheep. However, she loved her grandson so much that she let the black sheep stay in the house to test its behavior. Jeremiah then named the black sheep Danny. But Danny began making a mess in Jeremiah’s house, and giving trouble to the neighborhood. Jeremiah’s grandmother could not take Danny’s behavior anymore so she wanted to send Danny away. Uncle Hiram, a neighbor, told Jeremiah that he would play a song to change the grandmother’s mind. The song that Uncle Hiram performed was Lavender’s Blue. Jeremiah’s grandmother loved the song. Using the song, Uncle Hiram taught Jeremiah’s grandmother that if someone loves a person or animal, then no one has the right to take that love away. Burl Ives inspired audiences with his portrayal of Uncle Hiram. Today, it’s a popular nursery rhyme beloved by children and their parents!