The poem
What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's crying with all her might and main, And she won't eat her dinner - rice pudding again - What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? I've promised her dolls and a daisy-chain, And a book about animals - all in vain - What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's perfectly well, and she hasn't a pain; But, look at her, now she's beginning again! - What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? I've promised her sweets and a ride in the train, And I've begged her to stop for a bit and explain - What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's perfectly well and she hasn't a pain, And it's lovely rice pudding for dinner again! What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I am now 81 years old. I used to recite this poem at social evenings when I was 6 years old. A friend of the family bought me the book as a 6th birthday present, and I learned many of the poems by heart. Thank you for bringing back so many happy memories of childhood days.
Frank Bolton
My son is now 8 and, here in California, is learning these poems (along with "Belinda lived in a little white house..." -- remember that one?). My grandmother and mother both knew these poems, so we're passing it on.
mary jane poem
My mother who was a young child during the war remembers sitting in the brick playground shelter and her elderly female teacher reading this poem, butbonly remembered the beggining. She died 5 years ago aged 78 but she always remebered her childhood in the war and even the number of her identity card. I am very pleased to have found the rest of this poem it makes feel closer to her.