The roots of this poem are so dark that they should not be allowed anywhere near children. Jack Sprat was wheeling, His wife by the ditch. And pretty maids all in a row. According to another popular interpretation, “Oranges and Lemons” is a wedding song that has very strong, Another noteworthy interpretation is that the song is about. We bring you a short collection of 5 dark nursery rhymes with hidden meanings: #1 Ring A Ring O’ Roses. Author: Mohan Kumar. That said, it is worth taking note of the fact that there’s any concrete evidence to conclude that this traditional nursery rhyme is about the slave trade or about the heavy taxes placed on the medieval English wool trade. What's more, many of these back stories are less than lovely, and point to dark seasons in the history of mankind, such as the Great Plague. Atish-oo, atish-oo, we all fall down. Many experts believe that the lyrics of the song are about the horrible Black Death or the Great Plague of London that killed scores of people. Jill then dies of a broken heart shortly after, and the small town of Kilmersdon banned together to raise Jack and Jill’s son together. Another common interpretation of “Goosey Goosey Gander” is that its lyrics have a strong connection with prostitution. On the surface, they are nonsensical rhymes to amuse children. This rhyme is a very common poem as we often see children singing this tune while playing. According to this theory, this human sacrifice was offered to prevent the bridge from collapsing. Jill's now two months overdue, And Jack has left the city Jack and Jill Went up the hill And planned to do some kissing. According to many theories, this seemingly innocent and beautiful song has a very dark theme surrounding it – a theme of death – lots and lots of death. According to legend, Edward wasn’t the real son of James II and Mary. Jack and Jill are actually France’s Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, who were convicted of treason during the French Revolution, otherwise known as the Reign … The kidnapping happens as the two children are collecting water from a well. Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.” So begins the popular 18th-century nursery rhyme that generations of children will have recited without knowing its origin or real meaning. Three Blind Mice. What could be sweeter? It is difficult to state the exact origin of this nursery rhyme. This may be fitting as it is believed that nursery rhymes were a way for adults to keep their children informed and aware of some of the darker realities of the world in a way that they could easily digest. King Louis XVI was beheaded (lost his crown) during the Reign of Terror. And more often than not, the meanings behind the … Jack and Jill. Jack and Jill went up the hill For just an itty bitty. After Charles’ attempt to levy higher taxes on alcohol was rejected by the Parliament of England, he decided to go about achieving his aim in a very clever way by maintaining the tax rate on alcohol but ordering that the volume of a jack (also known as a ½ pint) and gill (. Mohan is a family physician, film and TV aficionado, a keen bibliophile and an eclectic scribbler. According to one of the most popular theories regarding the meaning of the lyrics of the rhyme, the Old Mother Hubbard is neither a mother nor a woman. Another theory is that the Jack refers to a half pint, and Jill is a gill which is a quarter pint measure. King Louis XVI was beheaded by guillotine in, Another popular theory regarding this children’s song is that it is about King Charles I of England and his plans to increase taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages. Under the decree, a, Another possible interpretation of the rhyme is that it talks about slave trade. If you can improve it further, please do so. Many suspect that the “blindness” of the three mice could have been created by crypto-Catholics, who saw Protestantism as a form of “blindness”. This theory speculates that the lyrics are about Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and his refusal to grant Henry VIII of England divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Also, according to rhymes.org.uk, the “garden” that is mentioned in it is a reference to a graveyard, which is pretty dark for a children’s nursery rhyme. The sweet melodies of these beloved nursery rhymes mask grisly tales of murder, sex, and death. These theories include the following: If you think the nursery rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” is a beautiful, innocent children’s song about flowers and gardening, you might just have to think again, for this rhyme is yet another one on our list with a lot of darkness surrounding its lyrics. Told to our closest celestial body, the rhyme, none of which should be explained to children Richard of! 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