Hark hark the dogs do bark
The beggars are coming to town
Some in rags and some in tags
And one in a velvet gown.

A sinister tale - "Hark, hark the dogs do bark" rhyme dates back to 13th century England. The origin of "Hark, hark the dogs do bark", reflected in the words, is seeped in history. Wandering minstrels or troubadours and beggars went from city to town singing their songs (some in rags and some in tags and one in a velvet gown) Messages of dissent to the common people were often found in secret meanings to the words of their ballads and rhymes. The famous Peasant's Revolt of 1377 against the state was encouraged and inflamed by the rhyme that went "When Adam delved and Eve span - who was then the gentleman?" In this way the propaganda of the day was safely passed from one community to another. These secret messages could lead to plots and uprisings against the royalty, clergy and politicians of the day. Strangers were never trusted in communities. Dogs barking alerted the townspeople to strangers in their area, hence the words "Hark, hark the dogs do bark ..."