Nursery rhymes have been a beloved part of childhood for generations. These catchy tunes and simple words seem innocent enough, often bringing back fond memories of bedtime stories and playground games. But many nursery rhymes hide surprisingly dark origins or meanings beneath their cheerful melodies and cute characters.
In this blog, I’ll reveal the hidden stories behind 15 popular nursery rhymes that are much darker than they appear.
Ring Around the Rosie
This seemingly innocent playground song is actually about the Great Plague of London in 1665. The “Rosie” refers to the red rash that was a symptom of the plague, while “pocket full of posies” alludes to the flowers people carried to mask the smell of death. “Ashes, ashes” represents the cremation of the dead, and “we all fall down” symbolizes the massive number of deaths. It’s a chilling reminder of how a deadly disease was turned into a children’s rhyme.
Rock-a-bye Baby
This lullaby’s lyrics describe a baby falling from a treetop, which is far from comforting. Some believe it refers to the custom of hanging baby cradles from tree branches by Native Americans. Others think it’s about the son of King James II of England, who many believed was not the true heir. The “wind” in the song could represent the political winds of change that eventually ousted James from the throne. Either way, it’s a rather unsettling song to sing to a baby.
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
This rhyme is thought to be about Queen Mary I of England, also known as “Bloody Mary.” The “garden” in the song is said to represent the growing number of Protestant graveyards, while “silver bells and cockle shells” were torture devices used during her reign. The “pretty maids all in a row” might refer to miscarriages or execution devices.
Three Blind Mice
The “three blind mice” in this rhyme are believed to be three Protestant bishops who were accused of plotting against Queen Mary I. The “farmer’s wife” who “cut off their tails with a carving knife” represents the Queen, who had them burned at the stake for heresy. This gruesome execution is softened in the nursery rhyme, but the underlying story remains just as dark.
London Bridge is Falling Down
This popular singing game has several dark interpretations. One theory suggests it refers to the practice of burying children alive in the foundations of the bridge as human sacrifices. Another links it to the Viking attack on London Bridge in 1014, which involved pulling the bridge down with ropes attached to ships. A third interpretation connects it to the Great Fire of London in 1666. Whatever the true origin, this cheerful tune masks a history of violence and destruction.
Humpty Dumpty
Contrary to popular belief, Humpty Dumpty wasn’t originally an egg. This rhyme is thought to be about a large cannon used during the English Civil War in 1648. The cannon was mounted on a church tower in Colchester, which was hit by enemy fire and fell. Despite efforts to repair it (“all the king’s horses and all the king’s men”), the cannon was too heavy to put back in place. This nursery rhyme actually tells the story of a pivotal moment in a bloody war.
Jack and Jill
While it seems like a simple tale of two children fetching water, this rhyme may have a much darker meaning. One interpretation links it to King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette, who were both beheaded during the French Revolution. “Jack” falling down and breaking his crown represents Louis losing his crown (and head), while Jill “came tumbling after” refers to Marie Antoinette’s subsequent execution.
Baa Baa Black Sheep
This innocent-sounding rhyme is believed to be a protest against the medieval wool tax imposed in England in 1275. The “three bags full” represent how the tax was divided: one-third to the king, one-third to the church, and one-third to the farmer. The “little boy who lives down the lane” might be the local shepherd who got nothing. It reflects the unfair taxation system and the hardships faced by common people during that time.
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
While it sounds like a fun children’s game, this rhyme is thought to have originated from female prisoners at Wakefield Prison in England. The women were exercised around a mulberry tree in the prison yard. The verses describing daily tasks (“This is the way we wash our clothes,” etc.) reflect the prisoners’ daily routines. What seems like a cheerful song actually describes the monotonous life of incarcerated women.
Oranges and Lemons
This rhyme names several churches in London but ends with a rather disturbing verse about chopping off heads. It’s believed to refer to executions that took place near the churches mentioned. The “chopper” could be the executioner’s axe, while the candles in the earlier verse might represent the last moments of a condemned person’s life. This playful-sounding song actually chronicles the grim reality of public executions in old London.
Goosey Goosey Gander
This nursery rhyme has a dark connection to religious persecution in England. The “old man who wouldn’t say his prayers” likely refers to Catholic priests who refused to follow the Church of England’s practices. During this time, priests often had to hide in people’s homes to avoid arrest. The violent ending, where the old man is thrown down the stairs, represents the harsh punishments faced by those who didn’t conform to the state religion.
Sing a Song of Sixpence
While it might sound like nonsense, this rhyme is thought to have multiple sinister meanings. One interpretation links it to pirate recruitment, with the “four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie” representing hidden pirates ready to ambush a ship. Another theory connects it to Henry VIII and his six wives, with the “pocket full of rye” symbolizing the riches he used to attract them. The queen in the parlor could be Catherine of Aragon, while the maid in the garden might represent Anne Boleyn.
Little Miss Muffet
The unsettling origins of this rhyme are said to stem from the story of Patience Worth, a 16th-century English woman who was supposedly possessed by the spirit of a young girl. The “tuffet” Miss Muffet sits on is thought to be a type of stool, while the “spider” that frightens her may symbolize the demonic forces believed to torment Patience Worth.
Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe
The unsettling origins of this counting rhyme can be traced back to its use in slave trading. The original lyrics included the N-word and referenced capturing a “tiger” (a racial slur for a Black person). Though the lyrics have been sanitized over time, the rhyme’s roots in the horrific practice of the slave trade cast a dark shadow over its playful cadence.
Hey Diddle Diddle
This nonsensical rhyme may actually be a satirical take on the extravagant lifestyles of the British aristocracy in the 16th century. The “cat playing the fiddle,” the “cow jumping over the moon,” and the “dish running away with the spoon” are all thought to be representations of the wealthy class’ eccentric behaviors and detachment from the struggles of the common people.
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