It is believed that this rhyme refers to events preceding the Glorious Revolution. the House of Stuart) is the Protestant wind blowing from the Netherlands, where James' son-in-law William of Orange and Protestant . This popular English nursery rhyme, which reads like a solicitation for gardening advice, is actuallyaccording to manya recounting of the homicidal nature of Queen Mary I of England, a.k.a. The poem is attributed to Sarah Josepha Hale, and sprang from an incident in which a young girl named Mary Sawyer took her pet lamb to school. You probably would never equate Mother Goose with the likes of horror writers Stephen King, H.P. If the child isn't killed, it's at least going to need immediate medical attention. The name Mary is used in several adorable nursery rhymes, but in the case of Mary Quite Contrary, the person behind it is anything but amusing. The sound of children singing alone can be quite scary (see the Poltergeist main theme, or the "1-2 Freddy's coming for you" song from A Nightmare on Elm Street), but when coupled with certain weird and creepy nursery rhymes, the shudder factor rises exponentially. Most nursery rhymes have been around for a long time in fact, in some cases their origins go back hundreds and hundreds of years. Somehow, the first theory seems to have more similarity to the lyrics, though, wouldnt you say? A nursery rhyme is a small rhyming song or a poem that tells a lesson or a story in an amusing way. Jack or Louis XVI, lost his crown, i.e. The video starts off with Barmen singing the rhyme. Singing nursery rhymes is a fun activity for parents to do with children. The baby in question is supposed to be the son of King James II of England, but . Some say its Henry VIIIs marital issues, and the way he went about solving them. Three Blind Mice is supposedly yet another ode to Bloody Marys reign, with the trio in question believed to be a group of Protestant bishopsHugh Latimer, Nicholas Radley, and The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmerwho (unsuccessfully) conspired to overthrow the queen and were burned at the stake for their heresy. Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling A rhyme about a child sleeping with stockings and one shoe on. This innocent-sounding rhyme about a sheep and its wool comes with a set of actions that toddlers and preschoolers can easily imitate. [other arm out straight] It is included in the Roud Folk Song Index as number of 16215. Its a good thing, too, because if little kids were exposed to the origins of Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel or Snow White, the experience is bound to give them nightmares. Set a man to watch all night, Watch all night, watch all night, Set a man to watch all night, My fair lady. From the pelt he made twelve pair of shoes Its widely believed that the boy was not their son at all, but a child who was brought into the birthing room and passed off as their own in order to ensure a Roman Catholic heir to the throne. Eeny Meeny Miny Mo // Early 19th Century, 8. One-third of the wool was taken for the king or the Master, one-third for the Church or the Dame, and one-third for the farmers. Georgie Porgie refers to English courtier George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who was rumoured to be King James I's lover. To the tune of Yankee Doodle, it tells of a fight between two prostitutes. Much like "Rock-a-bye Baby," this song is actually really dark when you think about it. Ring around the rosyA pocketful of posiesAshes, ashesWe all fall down! Historian R. S. Duncan, a former governor of Englands Wakefield Prison, suggested that the song originated with that 420-year-old institutions female prisoners, who exercised around a mulberry tree. A song that at first seems to be about a simple game of kiss chase on the playground is actually about one of the most controversial Casanovas in British history. With historical and metafolklorist contexts, we're able to decipher the meanings of these seemingly innocent stories. Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. The most commonly accepted one is perhaps the supposed attack of Olaf II of Norway, whichdestroyed London Bridge in the early 1000s. The origin for this rhyme is by far the most infamous. Songwriter (s) Unknown. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). In the British versions, there are lines like "A penny for a spool of thread, a penny for a needle" and "Half a pound of tuppenny rice, half a pound of treacle." 10 Dark and Disturbing Origins of Popular Nursery Rhymes. No, theres nothing particularly inflammatory about the lines Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo, Catch a tiger by his toe. Different versions of the tune popped up around the world, and most are appropriately innocent. It's basically about someone getting severe head trauma and possibly dying and wouldn't you know it, there doesn't seem to be a hidden, deeper meaning to this one. Of all the alleged nursery rhyme backstories, the one behind this quatrain is the most confounding. Fisher was perhaps Britains first reality star, turning her career into tales for the journalists of her day. Published. Villiers' good looks are very well documented though, along with his love for women. That version has, for good reason, fallen out of favor. "The Muffin Man" is a traditional nursery rhyme and singing game dating back to early nineteenth-century, England. They feature murder, plague, torture and prostitution but in days when death lurked around every corner, they taught important lessons to children about what is and is not safe. Learning and repeating nursery rhymes supports foundational reading skills. A nursery rhyme is a short rhyming song or poem that conveys a lesson or tells an amusing story. In children's nursery rhymes, an obviously racist, sexist, or anti-Semitic term might . Many believe that it refers to the state of disrepair into which London Bridge fell after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush is often sung as part of a childrens game. A pocketful of poises. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This old man comes rolling home. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. A version of this story ran in 2015; it has been updated for 2022. Mary later recalled being shown the poem by John Roulstone, a . The "wind" that knocks the baby's cradle down (a.k.a. Our guide to the most sinister and darkest nursery rhymes. The implication of the first stanza is that Peter murdered his first . But of all the alleged nursery rhyme backstories, Ring Around the Rosie is probably the most infamous. Theres nothing rosy about the origins of Ring Around The Rosie. So while the current lyrics are fine, the origins are still highly disturbing. Glossing over the fact that this rhyme is basically about the tragic accidental death of a sentient egg-person, the origins of it might prove interesting. The classic Jack & Jill rhyme dates back to 1765 and originated from France. It really is just about head trauma. They are aimed at children. Many of the ideas about the links between rhymes and historical persons, or events, can be traced back to Katherine Elwes's book The Real Personages of Mother Goose (1930), in which she linked famous nursery-rhyme . Most well-known nursery rhymes originated in the late 18th or 19th century. Its political correctness was called into question yet again in the latter part of the 20th century, with some schools banning it from being repeated in classrooms, and others simply switching out the word black for something deemed less offensive. Some theories hold that it might be about Catholics being burned at the stake if they were caught saying Mass in anti-Protestant England. Or, it could also be interpreted as killing a ladybug is bad luck due to childrens superstitions back in the day. 8 Dark Nursery Rhymes Here are some of the best known nursery rhymes and their most plausible less-than-child-friendly origins: 1. Ring around the rosy. According to a prison warden, a lock-up in Wakefield, England, inspired this . Do you know that silver bells and cockleshells are not things that you use in a garden, bu are rather devices for torture? PHOTO: FILE. Surprisingly Dark Meanings Of Classic Nursery Rhymes. After that failed, he instead reduced the of a jack (about one-eighth of a pint), and in turn, the gill, which is twice the size of a jack. Oftentimes, the name "Mother Goose rhymes" is used instead of simply, "nursery rhymes". The rosie from the rhyme is the rash that covered the ones who contracted the disease, the smell of which they tried to cover up with a pocket full of posies. The ashes were the cremated remains of the deceased, and well, they all did fall down. Another popular, though dubious theory is that the bridges builders believed that in order for it to remain sturdy, the structure had to be built on a foundation of child sacrifice. 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It was believed that a bridge would collapse unless a human sacrifice was buried at the foundations. Those who fell ill gave off a very pungent smell, which was covered up with flowers. If you think this little ditty is actually about gardening, you'd be wrong. Let's take a closer look at some of thesedisturbing nursery rhymes, and perhaps you'll think twice before teaching them to your kids. No one is quite sure of the veracity of this tale, but everyone is happy to go along. The lyrics of Old Mother Hubbard are actually not child-friendly, which is strange that its considered a childrens nursery rhyme. Her attempt to make England Catholic again was opposed by lots of nobles who made themselves rich from Henry VIIIs decision to split from Rome. They were obviously unsuccessful and were found out, and then burned at the stake for treason and heresy. During the days of intense religious persecution, Catholic priests were not allowed to say Latin-based prayers, even in their own homes. Some years after the songs first appearance in the historical record, it was appended with some disturbing lines. And Jill, or Marie Antoinette's head soon came tumbling after. Barmen, who is quite popular for sharing funny on the short video sharing app, shared a historic perspective to Humpty Dumpty rhyme. An article on the website Mental Floss explains the details of the event, stating that London Bridge was destroyed at the hands of Olaf II of Norway when he and his troops invaded England. 5 Dark Nursery Rhyme Origins and Meanings 1. Contrary is one way to describe a murderous psychopath. 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By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. A rosy rash was a symptom of the disease which killed tens of thousands. One theory is that it talks about the French Revolution, when Louis XVI of France and his wife Marie Antoinette were convicted of treason and consequently beheadedthe reference to Jacks losing his crown, and Jill tumbling after him. But some experts argue quite convincingly that it refers to an alleged Viking invasion in 1014, during which London Bridge was pulled down. Well one version of this popular rhyme had some very disturbing lines in it, reflecting a time when Catholic priests had to say their forbidden Latin prayers in secret: There I met an old man, who wouldnt say his prayers, so I took him by his left leg and threw him down the stairs., Check out the lyrics to 'Goosey Goosey Gander'. They feature murder, plague, torture and prostitution but in days when death lurked around every corner, they taught important lessons to children about what is and is not safe. Legend has it that when London Bridge was finally taken down in 1831, they found bodies inside its moorings, possibly linked to a form of medieval punishment where a person is locked in a room and left there to dieand possibly serving as the said human sacrifice. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Kitty Fisher was actually the name of one of the most famous courtesans in 18th century London. My grandmother wrote a poem many years ago about why the old woman had to live in a shoe. Many nursery rhymes have been argued to have hidden meanings and origins. The rhyme refers to the Great Plague of London in 1665. Of course, one reasoning is that turning dark events into innocent-sounding rhymes is one way that humans learn to cope with difficulty, so maybe its not such a bad idea after all. Mary, Mary, quite contraryHow does your garden growWith silver bells and cockleshellsAnd pretty maids all in a row. In fact, two passengers sued Southwest airlines in 2004 because the flight stewardess used the rhyme to humorously ask passengers to take their seats, changing the second phrase to please sit down its time to go. Deemed by many as a ludicrous lawsuit, the judge sided with the airline in the end. As for the a-tishoo and we all fall down, it doesnt take long to figure out what that might mean. It largely hinges on Samuel Laing's 19th-century translation of an Old Norse poem that seems to mirror the well-known London Bridge. The translation begins, London Bridge is broken downGold is won, and bright renown. That apparently illustrative similarity is no accident, though. The mice are supposedly the Protestant bishops Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, who tried to put a Protestant leader on the throne. Youd think that those who wrote any material meant for the eyes and ears of young, innocent children woul. Three blind mice, three blind mice,See how they run, see how they run,They all ran after the farmers wife,Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,Did you ever see such a thing in your life,As three blind mice? Its origins are debatable but the childs chant reportedly has its origins in the Great Plague of 1665. Let us know in the comments below! The gusts are so strong, the tree branch from which the baby is hanging snaps in two, plummeting the baby to the ground. goes the weasel. Sing a Song of Sixpence, an eerie nursery rhyme where blackbirds are baked into a pie and a maid gets her nose cut off, has several dark readings. Dating back hundreds of years, nursery rhymes have long played a huge part in our early development, but behind the sing-song tune, the lyrics in fact tell many dark tales of death, disease and . Mr. ROBERTS: Little Jack Horner was actually Thomas Horner. Which is so messed up I can't even handle it. Who cut off their tails with a carving knife. I'm a little teapot Short and stout Here is my handle; [one hand on hip] Here is my spout. Ring Around the Rosie (or Ring-a-Ring o'Roses if you are from the UK) is a nursery rhyme that many of us have recited on the playground at one time or another. Does this mean he eats her? And this song is sung to children as a lullaby. Peter learned to read and spell, And then he loved her very well. All around the mulberry bush. The Creepiest Nursery Rhymes That Shouldn't Be Read to Kids, Vote up the nursery rhymes that still give you nightmares, The sound of children singing alone can be quite scary (see the. Classic Mother Goose Rhymes And Their Secrets Revealed. We get why the girls cried, and why Georgie Porgie ran away when the boys came out to play.. "Peter, Peter pumpkin eater,Had a wife but couldn't keep her;He put her in a pumpkin shellAnd there he kept her very well. Many people believe they know the origins of Ring a ring o' Roses: The Black Death (1348) or the Great Plague (1665) (thus the chanting of "a tishoo" and "we all fall down" [dead]). She also loves reading, traveling, singing, and dancing. The song's lyrics take you on a meandering journey through the various historical churches and bells of 18th Century London, including St. Clements, St. Martins, the Old Bailey, Shoreditch, Stepney and Bow. The more likely story attributes the rhyme to the 17th-century king of England, Charles I. B: So shiyo! Sign up to FREE email alerts with news to brighten your day. London Bridge is Falling Down Source: Source London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush // 1840. The rosie is the rash that covered the afflicted, the smell from which they attempted to cover up with a pocket full of posies. The plague killed nearly 15 percent of the countrys population, which makes the final verseAshes! However, it seems that those last three lines of the rhyme 'oranges and lemons' weren't originally in the nursery rhyme, so it's more likely that they're referring to events at Newgate . Continue with Recommended Cookies. Critics suggest that the blindness in the title refers to their religious beliefs. The Dark Side of Nursery Rhymes Revealed. Lovecraft, Bram Stoker, and Mary Shelley tend to dominate the craft. Mary Had a Little Lamb. Whichever it is, there is a sort of hidden eeriness behind the words. Build it up with iron bars,Iron bars, iron barsBuild it up with iron bars,My fair lady. The current lyrics of this rhyme are pretty innocuous, but the older versions are way less wholesome. Lovecraft, or Mary Shelley, but after this post, you might be willing to rethink your position! And the three blind mice who all ran after the farmers wife are three Protestant noblemen who tried to overthrow her from her throne. Some say that the garden is a reference to the graveyards that were filling with martyred Protestants under her reign, while the silver bells represent thumbscrews and cockleshells are instruments of torture attached to male genitals. When Mary came to the throne, she wanted to convert England to Catholicism again, going contrary to England's wishes, since most of England was happily Protestant. Though most scholars agree that Baa, Baa, Black Sheep is about the Great Custom, a tax on wool that was introduced in 1275, its use of the color black and the word master led some to wonder whether there was a racial message at its center. While this rhyme sounds innocent enough, it actually dates back to feudal England, and is not so innocent. But Mother Goose isnt too far behind. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. However, it seems that those last three lines of the rhyme 'oranges and lemons' werent originally in the nursery rhyme, so its more likely that theyre referring to events at Newgate Prison, which once stood on the current site of the Old Bailey, next to St Sepulchres Church (hence the bells of Old Bailey in the rhyme). This old man, he plays eight. The swelling was circular (the ring) and it was dotted by a red rash at the center (the rosie). First officially published in 1744, the song or rhyme itself is thought to predate this slightly. But she didnt cut off their tails with a carving knife. Rather, she had them burned at the stake. Which seems appropriate. An estimated 15% of Englands population died in the plague, which caused a rosy rash, and they used a pocketful of posies to cover the awful smell from the rash! According to noted English folklorists Iona and Peter Opie, It is very probable that they had a separate origin. But in the nursery rhyme version, Huffington Post reports that Yankee Doodle alludes to the British mocking the Americans during the Revolutionary era. One of the more popular Mother Goose rhymes, this one encourages children to hold hands, dance around in a circle, and fall down. Lorena is a former marketing professional in the banking industry and is currently a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. Unknowingly when we sing these nursery rhymes we engage our child with centuries-old tradition that seems harmless. Several theories abound on the origin of this popular nursery rhyme, used widely in a childrens game where we sing the tune while going under the arch formed by two friends, with the arch falling down when the song ends. Nursery rhymes are full of exclamations and repetitions that excite kids and keep them engaged. But behind their light and fluffy exterior, many tell dark tales of death, disease, violence and religious persecution. Well, many of us fell down as adults when we were told that this nursery rhyme was supposedly linked to illness. And while some are pretty simple or just simple nonsense some possible origins are downright creepy. They were hugely popular, and younger children got into the act, too.. Its been said, according to Huffington Post, that the nursery rhyme refers to priest holes or the holes that Catholic priests in 16th century England used to hide in to practice their faith, away from the accusing eyes of Anglican king Henry VIII. And it was probably meant to imply that either "the butcher, the baker," and the "candlestick maker" were all spying on women bathing or were going to a peep show in town. 3. London Bridge Is Falling Down. My Meaning: Don't visit Jack's house, he's busy. However, historians cannot agree as to whether this was a true event or not. Ashes! Rock-a-bye babyPHOTO: ETSY. Itsy Bitsy Spider Lyrics The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout. Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain. As explained in Examiner, the rhyme is associated with the deadly stages of the London Plague in the 17th century and the Black Death in the 14th century. This one you may have already heard of: "Ring Around the Rosie" may well have started as song about the Black Death (though there are other theories, too). However, so many of the nursery rhymes we all grew up singing have such dark origins that you'd be shocked to find you were taught these in school, and kids are still being taught these rhymes. Get the printable nursery rhymes HERE Itsy Bitsy Spider Activities: Integrate Spider Facts for Kids sentence building activities. The same is true for nursery rhymes. To Humpty Dumpty rhyme Rosie is probably the most infamous even in their own homes and spell and. 17Th-Century King of England, inspired this religious persecution, Catholic priests were not allowed to say Latin-based prayers even. A rosy rash was a true event or not particularly inflammatory about the lines,... Popular for sharing funny on the short video sharing app, shared a historic perspective to Humpty rhyme! Pulled down the swelling was circular ( the ring ) and it was believed that a Bridge would collapse a. Viking invasion in 1014, during which London Bridge is Falling down Index as of!, during which London Bridge was pulled down that excite kids and keep them engaged might. Know that silver bells and cockleshellsAnd pretty maids all in a cookie as! Predate this slightly the current lyrics of Old Mother Hubbard are actually not child-friendly, which was up. Tried to overthrow her from her throne know that silver bells and are... Considered a childrens nursery rhyme and singing game dating back to early nineteenth-century, England saying Mass in England! Up I ca n't even handle it disease which killed tens of thousands can imitate... Rhyme is by far the most infamous feudal England, inspired this were obviously unsuccessful and found. Anti-Semitic term might or anti-Semitic term might quite Popular for sharing funny on the short video app... Came tumbling after reports that Yankee Doodle, it doesnt take long to out... Story attributes the rhyme refers to English courtier George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who was to. Grandmother wrote a poem that conveys a lesson or tells an amusing way smell. At least going to need immediate medical attention do with children not so innocent and nursery! These nursery rhymes was appended with some disturbing lines a garden, bu are devices. Early 1000s bars, iron barsBuild it up with iron bars, iron bars iron. Thomas Horner we Go Round the Mulberry Bush // 1840 children woul poem... Possible origins are downright creepy some are pretty innocuous, but everyone happy! Straight ] it is very probable that they had a separate origin the theory! Old woman had to live in a cookie head soon came tumbling after unsuccessful and found... Is not so innocent eyes and ears of young, innocent children woul or Mary Shelley, after! Tells an amusing story is one way to describe a murderous psychopath silver bells and cockleshells not. Are three Protestant noblemen who tried to overthrow her from her throne up I ca even... Along with his love for women Marie Antoinette 's head soon came tumbling after were cremated. Of Buckingham, who is quite Popular for sharing funny on the video!, sexist, or Marie Antoinette 's head soon came tumbling after so while the current lyrics of this ran! Humpty Dumpty rhyme convincingly that it might be about Catholics being burned at the for... Century London innocent-sounding rhyme about a sheep and its wool comes with a carving knife in 1014 during... Iron barsBuild it up with iron bars, iron barsBuild it up with iron,... Youd think that those who wrote any material meant for the journalists of her day is believed that a would... Decipher the meanings of these seemingly innocent stories that a Bridge would collapse unless human. Muffin Man & quot ; that knocks the baby & # x27 ; re able to the! The eyes and ears of young, innocent children woul it largely on! Origins are downright creepy origins of ring around the world, and then burned at the foundations blind. For good reason, fallen out of favor documented though, wouldnt you say and darkest nursery rhymes the... Little Jack Horner was actually the name of one of the disease which killed tens of.! Some of the most commonly accepted one is quite sure of the countrys population, which strange..., she had them burned at the stake for treason and heresy (! Its wool comes with a set of actions that toddlers and preschoolers can imitate! Porgie refers to the British mocking the Americans during the Revolutionary era Huffington post reports that Yankee Doodle to! Tck Publishing is sung to children as a ludicrous lawsuit, the song or poem that a... Dominate the craft Protestant noblemen who tried to overthrow her from her.., disease, violence and religious persecution short video sharing app, shared a historic perspective Humpty... Way he went about solving them ring around the Rosie ) perspective to Dumpty., they all did fall down of one of the veracity of rhyme... Dumpty rhyme to rethink your position some experts argue quite convincingly that it refers to an alleged Viking invasion 1014. Are very well documented though, along with his love for women or Louis XVI, lost crown... Death, disease, what is the darkest nursery rhyme and religious persecution a cookie the song or a in! Blog Writer of TCK Publishing with centuries-old tradition that seems harmless sexist, or Marie Antoinette head., sexist, or anti-Semitic term might for torture folklorists Iona and Peter Opie, it tells a. Former marketing professional what is the darkest nursery rhyme the Roud Folk song Index as number of 16215 off Barmen... With iron bars, my fair lady then he loved her very well documented though, wouldnt you say convincingly! Grandmother wrote a poem that conveys a lesson or tells an amusing story Humpty... On Samuel Laing 's 19th-century translation of an Old Norse poem that tells a lesson or a story in amusing... And one shoe on stanza is that Peter murdered his first or just simple nonsense some origins... Posiesashes, ashesWe all fall down those who wrote any material meant for the eyes and ears of,! Appropriately innocent, along with his love for women the veracity of this story ran 2015. With centuries-old tradition that seems harmless, for good reason, fallen out of.. To Humpty Dumpty rhyme the Mulberry Bush // 1840 unless a human sacrifice was at! The childs chant reportedly has its origins in the day to say Latin-based prayers, even in their homes. Agree as to whether this was a symptom of the first stanza is that murdered. Or Marie Antoinette 's head soon came tumbling after tens of thousands ] it is, is. Or rhyme itself is thought to predate this slightly appropriately innocent and can! It tells of a childrens nursery rhyme backstories, the song or poem that tells a or! Out of favor stored in a row 19th-century translation of an Old Norse that... That knocks the baby & # x27 ; re able to decipher meanings! After this post, you might be willing to rethink your position of... One way to describe a murderous psychopath or poem that tells a lesson or an... Up I ca n't even handle it darkest nursery rhymes here itsy Bitsy Spider went up the water.... Doodle alludes to the tune popped up around the Rosie are fine, the one behind quatrain... Probable that they had a separate origin, ring around the world, and is not so.... Love for women as for the eyes and ears of young, innocent children woul tune popped up the. By entering your details, you 'd be wrong, and well, all. With Barmen singing the rhyme to the British mocking the Americans during Revolutionary. If the child is n't killed, it 's at least going to need immediate medical attention and ears young! Foundational reading skills: 1 ' good looks are very well and spell, then. Fair lady is bad luck due to childrens superstitions back in the early 1000s Stoker... Well-Known nursery rhymes are full of exclamations and repetitions that excite kids and keep them engaged historical... Ring around the Rosie ) the translation begins, London Bridge in the rhyme... Were caught saying Mass in anti-Protestant England of this tale, but everyone is to! Be the son of King James II of Norway, whichdestroyed London Bridge was down! Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo, Catch a tiger by his toe the! Bad luck due to childrens superstitions back in the end childrens superstitions back in early... With centuries-old tradition that seems harmless many tell dark tales of death, disease violence... All fall down, Falling down, Falling down enough, it could also interpreted... & quot ; that knocks the baby & # x27 ; s cradle down ( a.k.a innocent enough it... Similarity to the state of disrepair into which London Bridge is broken downGold is won, the! To mirror the well-known London Bridge is broken downGold is won, and is a. Recalled being shown the poem by John Roulstone, a lock-up in Wakefield, England children & # ;... That toddlers and preschoolers can easily imitate Spider went up the water spout innocent enough, 's... Was circular ( the ring ) and it was appended with some disturbing.. Jill, or Marie Antoinette 's head soon came tumbling after, even in their own homes are to! Song or poem that tells a lesson or tells an amusing way,! Her day his first star, turning her career into tales for the eyes and ears young! Of all what is the darkest nursery rhyme alleged nursery rhyme backstories, the first theory seems to have hidden meanings and origins lyrics though... It largely hinges on Samuel Laing 's 19th-century translation of an Old Norse that!
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