The Hidden Meaning of Nursery Rhymes Part 2

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Nursery rhymes, much like fairy tales, often contain hidden meanings and historical contexts that might be surprising given their seemingly innocent and playful tone. Let’s explore a few:

1. Ring a Ring o’ Roses (or Ring Around the Rosie)

Surface Story: Children singing and dancing in a circle, then all falling down in play.

Hidden Meaning: Often thought to be related to the Great Plague of London in 1665, the “rosie” is said to refer to the rosy rash that was one of the symptoms of the plague, and the “posies” are herbs that were carried to ward off the illness. However, this interpretation is widely debated among historians, and some believe the rhyme has no particular historical significance.

2. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Surface Story: A girl named Mary who is asked how her garden grows, with pretty maids, silver bells, and cockle shells.

Hidden Meaning: This rhyme is often thought to be a reference to Mary I of England, also known as “Bloody Mary,” due to her persecution of Protestants. The “silver bells” and “cockle shells” are believed to be instruments of torture, and the “pretty maids” might refer to the guillotine, which was colloquially known as “The Maiden.” However, like many nursery rhymes, the true origins are unclear and various interpretations exist.

3. London Bridge is Falling Down

Surface Story: A song about the falling and rebuilding of London Bridge.

Hidden Meaning: This rhyme might refer to the various difficulties experienced in bridging the River Thames. The different materials mentioned in the various verses (silver and gold, iron and steel, etc.) might symbolize the numerous attempts to build a sturdy and lasting bridge. Some interpretations also suggest that the rhyme might have originated from a Viking attack in the 11th century, which partially destroyed the bridge.

4. Humpty Dumpty

Surface Story: An egg-like character falls off a wall and cannot be repaired by all the king’s horses and men.

Hidden Meaning: While commonly portrayed as an egg, the original rhyme does not specify that Humpty Dumpty is such. Some theories suggest that “Humpty Dumpty” was a cannon used during the English Civil War in the 1640s. When the cannon fell from its perch on a wall, it became unusable, and not even the king’s men could repair it. This interpretation, while popular, is not definitively proven, and the true origins of the rhyme remain somewhat mysterious.

5. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

Surface Story: A friendly exchange between a sheep and a person, discussing wool distribution.

Hidden Meaning: Some interpretations suggest that this rhyme refers to the medieval wool tax imposed by the Crown in England, with the “master” and “dame” being the king and the church, respectively, and the “little boy” representing the common people. However, this interpretation is not universally accepted, and some see it merely as a rhyme about sharing and trade.

6. Jack and Jill

Surface Story: Two individuals go up a hill to fetch water but encounter misfortune and injury.

Hidden Meaning: There are numerous theories about this rhyme. One suggests that it refers to King Louis XVI of France (Jack) and his Queen, Marie Antoinette (Jill), who were both beheaded during the French Revolution. Another theory proposes that it is about the reduction of the volume of a half-pint (a “Jack”) and a quarter-pint (a “Gill” or “Jill”) due to tax increases, which was not well-received by the public. The true origin is unclear and might be lost to history.

7. Old Mother Hubbard

Surface Story: An old woman finds her cupboard bare and cannot feed her dog.

Hidden Meaning: Some believe that “Old Mother Hubbard” refers to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who failed to secure an annulment for King Henry VIII, represented by the dog. The “bone” symbolizes the desired annulment, and the “cupboard” represents the Catholic Church. However, this interpretation is speculative, and the rhyme might simply be a whimsical tale without deeper meaning.

8. Hey Diddle Diddle

Surface Story: A fanciful scene where a cat plays a fiddle, a cow jumps over the moon, and a dish runs away with a spoon.

Hidden Meaning: The origins and meanings of “Hey Diddle Diddle” are quite obscure. Some theories suggest that it is a coded message used by English smugglers, while others believe it might be a parody of scandalous or absurd events among the nobility. However, no theory is widely accepted, and it might simply be a playful, nonsensical rhyme meant to amuse children.

9. Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater

Surface Story: Peter keeps his wife in a pumpkin shell.

Hidden Meaning: The rhyme might be interpreted as a commentary on marriage and societal norms of the past. The pumpkin shell, in which Peter keeps his wife, could symbolize the restrictive and protective nature of Peter towards his wife, reflecting the patriarchal society where women were often subjugated and confined to the domestic sphere. However, the exact origin and meaning remain unclear, and it might simply be a rhyme created for amusement without a deeper message.

10. Pop Goes the Weasel

Surface Story: A narrative involving a weasel popping, a monkey, and a mulberry bush.

Hidden Meaning: “Pop Goes the Weasel” is thought to have originated in 19th century London. The “weasel” is believed to refer to a spinner’s weasel, a device used for measuring yarn, which makes a popping sound when the correct length has been reached. The phrase “Pop goes the weasel” might refer to pawning one’s coat (the “weasel” is also Cockney rhyming slang for a coat) to get money, possibly to buy food or pay debts. The various activities and locations mentioned in the different verses might reflect the daily life and struggles of the working class in Victorian England.

Nursery rhymes often come with various interpretations and potential hidden meanings, which might be reflective of the societal, political, or cultural contexts of their times. However, it’s crucial to note that many of these interpretations are speculative and not definitively proven, and some rhymes might simply be playful verses created without a particular hidden meaning or origin.