It is another day for a good throwback. Guess what? We would be looking at nursery rhymes we used to say as children. A nursery rhyme is a traditional poem or song for children in Britain and many other countries, but usage of the term only dates from the late 18th/early 19th century.
Baa Baa Black Sheep
“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” is an English nursery rhyme, the earliest printed version of which dates from around 1744. The words have not changed very much in two-and-a-half centuries. It is sung to a variant of the 1761 French melody Ah! vous dirai-je, maman.
Goose-a goose-a gander
The earliest recorded version of this rhyme is in Gammer Gurton’s Garland or The Nursery Parnassus published in London in 1784. Like most early versions of the rhyme it does not include the last four line.
The Grand Old Duke of York
“The Grand Old Duke of York” (also sung as The Noble Duke of York) is an English children’s nursery rhyme, often performed as an action song. The eponymous duke has been argued to be a number of the bearers of that title, particularly Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763–1827) and its lyrics have become proverbial for futile action.
Hickory Dickory Dock
“Hickory Dickory Dock” or “Hickety Dickety Dock” is a popular English language nursery rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 6489.
Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty is a character in an English nursery rhyme, probably originally a riddle and one of the best known in the English-speaking world. He is typically portrayed as an anthropomorphic egg, though he is not explicitly described as such. The first recorded versions of the rhyme date from late eighteenth-century England and the tune from 1870 in James William Elliott’s National Nursery Rhymes and Nursery Songs. Its origins are obscure, and several theories have been advanced to suggest original meanings.
London bridge is falling down
“London Bridge is Falling Down” (also known as “My Fair Lady” or “London Bridge”) is a traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different versions all over the world. It deals with the depredations of London Bridge and attempts, realistic or fanciful, to repair it. It may date back to bridge-related rhymes and games of the Late Middle Ages, but the earliest records of the rhyme in English are from the 17th century. The lyrics were first printed in close to their modern form in the mid-18th century and became popular, particularly in Britain and the United States, during the 19th century.
Ring a Ring o’ Roses
Ring a Ring o’ Roses” or “Ring a Ring o’ Rosie” is an English nursery rhyme or folksong and playground singing game. It first appeared in print in 1881, but it is reported that a version was already being sung to the current tune in the 1790s and similar rhymes are known from across Europe.
Three blind mice
“Three Blind Mice” is an English-language nursery rhyme and musical round. A version of this rhyme, together with music (in a minor key), was published in Deuteromelia or The Seconde part of Musicks melodie. The editor of the book, and possible author of the rhyme was Thomas Ravenscroft.