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The words and lyrics of the nursery rhyme 'Robert Barnes, fellow fine' relate to a simple blacksmith - we cannot perceive any hidden message. However it was interesting to investigate notable people in history who were named 'Robert Barnes'. Research showed that a Prior and Master of the Augustinian community at Cambridge was called Robert Barnes(1495 - 1540). Martin Luther was also of the Augustinian community and Robert Barnes adhered to Luther's teachings and he published these ideas in "Sentences", a collection of nineteen thesis defending the reformed Protestant faith. He was sent to the Tower of London because of his beliefs and died the death of a martyr at Smithfield where he was burnt alive.

Luther prompted a new religion called Protestantism. The term 'Protestant' was adopted when followers of Martin Luther protested against efforts to limit the spread of Luther's new religious ideas

Robert Barnes
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

Robert Barnes, fellow fine,
Can you shoe this horse of mine?
Yes, good sir, that I can,
As well as any other man.
There's a nail, and there's a prod,
And now, good sir, your horse is shod.

Robert Barnes
Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history