Origins of "Ring around the
rosy" in English History
Connections to the
Bubonic Plague (Black
Death)?
The words to the Ring around
the rosy children's ring
game have their origin in
English history. The
historical period dates back
to the Great Plague of
London in 1665 (bubonic
plague) or even before when
the first outbreak of the
Plague hit England in the
1300's. 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 death rate was
over 60% and the plague was
only halted by the Great
Fire of London in 1666 which
killed the rats which
carried the disease which
was transmitting via water
sources. The English version
of "Ring around the rosy"
replaces Ashes with (A-tishoo,
A-tishoo) as violent
sneezing was another symptom
of the disease. We recommend
the following site for
comprehensive information
regarding the Bubonic
Plague.
http://www.william-shakespeare.info/bubonic-black-plague-elizabethan-era.htm
Picture of
a Plague Physician
of the 17th Century
Ring around the rosy
AKA as Ring a ring o' rosies
Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of
posies
"Ashes, Ashes"
We all fall down
Ring-a-Ring o'Rosies
A Pocket full of
Posies
"A-tishoo! A-tishoo!"
We all fall Down!
