Queen of Hearts
Version 1
The Queen of Hearts
She made some tarts,
All on a summer's day.
The Knave of Hearts,
He stole the tarts,
And took them clean away.
The King of Hearts,
Called for the tarts,
And beat the Knave full sore.
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts,
And vowed he'd steal no more.
Source: Wright, The Original Mother Goose (1916)
Version 2
The Queen of Hearts she made some Tarts Upon a Summer’s day,
The Knave of Hearts he saw those Tarts and Stole them all away; and stole them all away;
The King of Hearts heard of those Tarts, and To the Knave did say;
You Knave of Hearts restore the Tarts,
Or else for them you pay; or else for them you pay
Source: Baily, Queen of Hearts (sheet music), (1785)
Historical Background
The first known publication of “Queen of Hearts” was printed in “The European Magazines” in 1782 along with three less popular poems, “The King of Spades,” “The King of Clubs,” and “The King of Diamonds.” These additional rhymes described their respective kings’ living situations and their wives. In an English deck of playing cards, the Queen of Hearts has been linked to Elizabeth of York, queen to Henry VII. The headdress worn by the queen of hearts mimics the queen’s crown of the early Tudor era. The Queen of Hearts is also a well-known character in Lewis Caroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
Download the sheet music of this rhyme
