A man sits on a park bench counting magpies

One for Sorrow

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.

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Posted in All Rhymes, Animals, Counting & Learning, Daily Life & Objects, Mother Goose Classics

Tagged bird, counting, gold, joy, magpie, silver, sorrow, superstition

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Meaning

This traditional rhyme links the number of magpies (sometimes crows or jackdaws) seen at once to different omens, ranging from sorrow and joy to wealth, secrets, and even more supernatural outcomes in the extended versions. Each number dynamically predicts a good or bad fortune for the observer, reflecting centuries-old superstition.

Origin

First recorded in 1780, “One for Sorrow” grew out of British folklore that saw magpies as birds of ill omen or fortune-tellers. The earliest versions had darker connotations—referencing fate, marriage, and even the devil—though the most popular form now is shorter and softer in tone. The rhyme became especially well-known in the UK from the children’s TV show “Magpie” (1968–1980), which used the seven-line version.

Time Period

The rhyme has been sung and recited since at least the late 18th century, gaining widespread recognition in the 19th and 20th centuries through published collections and media adaptations.

Why It Became Popular

Its simple, memorable format, connection to the natural world, and element of fortune-telling made it a favorite for children and adults. The counting aspect also helps teach early numeracy and invites recitation on countryside walks.

Structure and Style

Meter: Short, rhythmic lines; frequently trochaic or iambic
Rhyme Scheme: No rigid scheme, but most lines rhyme or pair after the colon
Line Count: 7 in the standard version, up to 13 in variants
Style Notes: Fortune-telling, repetitive, folkloric

Themes

Superstition and prophecy
Nature and birds
Counting and memory
Luck and fate

Language Notes

The rhyme uses simple language with a direct statement of what each number “means.” Alternate animal names (crows, jackdaws) sometimes appear in place of magpies, especially in regional British variants.

Moral or Lesson

The rhyme is rooted in superstition rather than a clear moral, but it playfully reminds us how people have made sense of nature’s random patterns—sometimes turning them into lessons about hope or caution.

Historical or Cultural Notes

The magpie’s reputation for luck—good or ill—and its prominent black-and-white markings made it a natural subject for folklore. In many traditions, seeing a single magpie is still regarded as unlucky, with various “antidotes” (saluting or reciting the rhyme) offered to cancel the bad luck.

Notable Variants

Regional versions include darker lines about death, hell, or the devil, and sometimes reach up to thirteen verses. Versions in the United States and other countries may substitute different birds or omens.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Featured in classic nursery rhyme collections, the rhyme inspired the theme song and episodes of the children’s show “Magpie” and appears in books, TV dramas, and even pop music referencing magpies and superstition.

Suggested Activities

Memory Game: Recite the rhyme on nature walks and count birds together.
Art Project: Illustrate the sequence by drawing different numbers of magpies showing each omen.
Discussion: Explore the folklore of other birds and superstitions from different cultures.
Creative Writing: Invent new “fortunes” for numbers eight through thirteen.
Performance: Act out each line or create a fortune-telling skit using the rhyme’s structure.

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One for Sorrow

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