| Boys and Girls come out to play
Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics, Origins and History | The Nursery Rhyme, 'Boys and Girls come out to Play' refers to the time when most children had to work "Those who would eat must work" and there was little time for play. Playtime was in the evening, after the day's work "The moon does shine as bright as day" and "Loose your supper, and loose your sleep". Up to
the time of the Industrial revolution children would help their parents on the land, only the children of wealthy parents would attend school. The first publication date for this Nursery Rhyme was 1708 so it referred to the period in history where children did have time to play.
Child Labour
The 19th century brought the age of the Industrial Revolution and factories. Many children, especially Workhouse children, worked for over 16 hours a day under atrocious conditions in factories, mills, and mines. Children of small stature were found particularly useful in chimney sweeping. Children began work at the age of five and generally died before they were 25 due to th eterrible working conditions. | 
Picture of Children playing using stilts | Boys and girls come out to play | Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history | Boys and girls come out to play,
The moon does shine as bright as day;
Come with a hoop, and come with a call,
Come with a good will or not at all.
Loose your supper, and loose your sleep,
Come to your playfellows in the street;
Up the ladder and down the wall.
A halfpenny loaf will serve us all.
But when the loaf is gone, what will you do?
Those who would eat must work - 'tis true. | Boys and girls come out to play | Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history |
|
