There Was a Crooked Man

There Was a Crooked Man

There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile.

He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.

He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,

And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

Written: Unknown 

Published: c.1842

The origin of this poem comes from the Stuart era of English history of King Charles I. 

The "crooked man" in this poem is generally regarded to be the Scottish General Sir Alexander Leslie who signed a Covenant (c.1638) securing both religious and political freedom for Scotland. 

The "crooked stile" referred to in the poem alluded to the border between England and Scotland.

And finally the line: "They all lived together in a little crooked house" refers to the fact the English and the Scots had finally come to an agreement.

The words of this poem reflect a time in history when there was great animosity between the English and the Scots.