It is always better to know what we sing and teach young kids the chronicles behind the tunes they hum, so here is a history of some well-loved songs we sang as young kids....
Most of us grew up singing nursery rhymes without being aware of their meaning, origin, and history. Their catchy rhythms make them easy to remember, and children recite them with joy, not knowing that many of them are about grim historical events related to wars, executions, plagues, and politics. The rhymes seem harmless and children sing them anyway because of their lyrical quality. Understanding the origins of nursery rhymes helps us appreciate them not just as children’s entertainment, but as cultural history. It is always better to know what we sing and teach young kids the chronicles behind the tunes they hum, so here is a history of some well-loved songs we sang as young kids.
‘London Bridge Is Falling Down’
One of the most famous nursery rhymes in the English-speaking world is ‘London Bridge Is Falling Down’. Its origins are closely tied to the long and troubled history of one of London’s most important landmarks. The earliest London Bridge dates back to Roman Britain in the first century. Initially constructed from wood and clay, the bridge was repeatedly damaged by fires, floods, and invasions. Viking attacks in the eleventh century led to fortified designs, including defensive towers and a drawbridge.
The rhyme’s references to rebuilding the bridge with various materials mirror these repeated reconstruction efforts. In 1176, a stone bridge designed by Peter de Colechurch replaced the wooden structure. This bridge took 33 years to complete and featured 20 arches, gates, and towers. Over time, it became a bustling hub of activity, housing shops, homes, and traders. By the fourteenth century, more than 140 buildings lined the bridge. References to “silver and gold” in the rhyme are often linked to the commercial activity that flourished there. Despite surviving the Great Fire of London in 1666, the stone bridge was weakened. Eventually, it was replaced in the nineteenth century. Remarkably, the 1831 bridge was later dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it still stands today.
‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’
Unlike many nursery rhymes rooted in political or historical turmoil, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ is a catchy melody that reflects wonder and imagination. Written by sisters Ann and Jane Taylor, it was first published in 1806 as a poem titled ‘The Star’. The famous simile “like a diamond in the sky” introduces children to imagery and metaphor, teaching them how language can paint pictures. The rhyme’s enduring popularity lies in its simplicity and its ability to evoke curiosity about the natural world. Set to a melody adapted from a French folk tune, it became one of the most recognisable lullabies worldwide.
‘Jack and Jill’
The rhyme ‘Jack and Jill’ has long intrigued historians due to its darker interpretations. One widely cited theory links it to the French Revolution. According to this view, Jack represents King Louis XVI, who ‘lost his crown’ through execution, while Jill symbolises Queen Marie Antoinette, who followed him to the guillotine. The rhyme was first published in 1795, shortly after the Reign of Terror. Over time, the lyrics were softened to provide a child-friendly ending. Originally known as ‘Jack and Gill’, the rhyme demonstrates how oral tradition often altered spelling and meaning as verses passed from one generation to the next.
‘An Apple a Day’
The saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” promotes healthy eating and has been passed down in various forms for centuries. While its exact origin is unclear, the rhyme reflects early awareness of nutrition and preventative health. Its playful variations made the advice memorable, reinforcing the idea that simple habits could protect wellbeing.
‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’
‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’, also known in Britain as ‘Incy Wincy Spider’, is a classic example of a rhyme valued more for interaction than historical reference. The finger movements associated with the song help children develop dexterity and coordination. Though its origins are unknown, its survival highlights the importance of physical engagement in oral traditions.
‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’
Often misunderstood, ‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’ has been linked to England’s medieval wool trade, which was critical to the country's economy from the Middle Ages until the nineteenth century; it is, therefore, not surprising that it is celebrated in the ‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’ nursery rhyme. There is a historical connection for this rhyme: it probably referred to the Plantagenet King Edward I (the Master) and the export tax imposed in Britain in 1275 in which the English Customs Statute authorised the king to collect a tax on all exports of wool in every port in the country. First published in 1744, the rhyme also serves an educational purpose. It introduces children to animal sounds through onomatopoeia and helps build early language skills.
‘Pop Goes the Weasel’
At first glance, ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’ seems nonsensical, but its meaning becomes clearer through Cockney rhyming slang. ‘Pop’ meant pawn, while ‘weasel and stoat’ referred to a coat. During hard times, working-class Londoners would pawn their coats during the week and retrieve them for Sunday wear. The rhyme offers insight into urban poverty and survival strategies in nineteenth-century England. References to ‘the Eagle’ point to a real pub and music hall in London, frequented by figures such as Charles Dickens. It was purchased by the Salvation Army in 1883 (they were totally opposed to drinking and music halls). The hall was later demolished and was rebuilt as a public house in 1901.
‘Humpty Dumpty’
“Humpty Dumpty” was a colloquial term used in fifteenth century England describing someone who was obese. This has given rise to various, but inaccurate, theories surrounding the identity of Humpty Dumpty. The image of Humpty Dumpty was made famous by the illustrations included in the Through the Looking-Glass novel by Lewis Carroll. However, Humpty Dumpty was not a person pilloried in the famous rhyme! Contrary to another popular belief, Humpty Dumpty was not originally an egg. The rhyme is thought to describe a large cannon used during the English Civil War at the Siege of Colchester in 1648. When the cannon fell from the city wall and could not be repaired, it contributed to the Royalists’ defeat.
‘Ring a Ring o' Roses’
This rhyme is commonly associated with the Great Plague of London in 1665 (bubonic plague) or even before when the first outbreak of the plague hit England in the 1300s. 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 plague was only halted by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats that carried the disease.
Nursery rhymes as social commentary and play
In societies where open criticism of rulers or institutions was dangerous, nursery rhymes offered a discreet and creative outlet. Songs such as ‘Jack and Jill’ and ‘Baa, Baa, Black Sheep’ allowed people to comment on taxation, monarchy, and class inequality without attracting attention. Children could sing these verses freely, while adults understood the underlying messages hidden in plain sight.
This subtle form of protest explains why many nursery rhymes contain unsettling or unresolved endings. Unlike fairy tales, which were later sanitised, nursery rhymes often reflect the harshness of real life. There is no guarantee of justice or happiness because, historically, such outcomes were rare.
Music and movement helped embed these rhymes into daily life. Many borrowed melodies from folk songs or tavern music, making them appealing to all ages. Rhymes such as ‘Ring a Ring o’ Roses’ and London Bridge Is Falling Down’ were performed as circle games, strengthening social bonds. Action-based rhymes like ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ and ‘Pat-a-cake’ encourageda coordination and motor skills.
These interactive elements ensured nursery rhymes were immersive experiences rather than passive entertainment, a quality still valued by early childhood educators today.
Why nursery rhymes endure
Nursery rhymes have survived because they serve multiple purposes at once. They entertain, educate, and preserve history, often in subtle ways.
Their simplicity makes them accessible, while their depth invites reflection. Though many originated in hardship, they continue to be sung with joy, connecting generations through shared language and memory. Understanding their origins does not strip nursery rhymes of innocence. Instead, it enriches them, reminding us that even the smallest verses can carry centuries of human experience.
