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Nursery Rhymes Lyrics and Origins

Ring Around the Rosy Rhyme

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!

 
 

Ring around the rosy
AKA as Ring a ring o' rosies

 

Note: A Rhymes lyrics and the perceived origins of some Nursery Rhymes vary according to location

 

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