I found a site that can keep you busy for awhile if you are into nursery rhymes and their origins. It's http://www.rhymes.org.uk/index.htm. Here's an example of what's there.
Origins of "Ring around the rosy" in English History
Connections to the Bubonic Plague (Black Death)?
The words to the Ring around the rosy children's ring game have their origin in English history . The historical period dates back to the Great Plague of London in 1665 (bubonic plague) or even before when the first outbreak of the Plague hit England in the 1300's. The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin (Ring around the rosy). Pockets and pouches were filled with sweet smelling herbs ( or posies) which were carried due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells. The term "Ashes Ashes" refers to the cremation of the dead bodies! The death rate was over 60% and the plague was only halted by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats which carried the disease which was transmitting via water sources. The English version of "Ring around the rosy" replaces Ashes with (A-tishoo, A-tishoo) as violent sneezing was another symptom of the disease. We recommend the following site for comprehensive information regarding the Bubonic Plague.
The site also gives alternative explanations if they have any.
I won't keep you here. There's a lot to look at on this site.
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6 comments:
Very good information. I was not aware of how grim some of those childhood rhymes could be!
Well, obviously I'll be going to spend a bit of time at that website.
Angel - Grimms fairy tales can really be grim.
Amanda - Some of the rhymes you learned as a kid may not be so cute after all.
Those old fairy tales were originally entertainment for adults, the old version of horror stories.
This makes me wonder if teaching children nursery rhymes is a good idea.
Duck - Exactly.
Elvis - As long as they don't look up the real meaning on the internet.
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