Most people in the world are familiar with the classic children rhyme “wheels Of the bus go round and round“. This timeless classic tune has been around for over 70 years and remains in use in preschools and kindergartens all around the world.
History
“The wheels On The Bus” song was created in 1939 by author Verna Hills of Boston, Massachusetts, as a way to keep children entertained on long road trips. The “wheels On The Bus Song”, was inspired by the song “Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush”, which had a similar rhyme scheme and melody. This folk rhyme was created during a time when children riding the school bus was growing rapidly,and the bus rides were longer so entertaining the kids was a vital necessity to keep them from becoming restless. There has been some controversy over who the exact author is, but most have settled on Verna Hills.
Preschool
Most people come into contact with the song at the tender ages of 1 to 4 depending on the environment of the youth. The “wheels On The bus” song has early lessons in them such as group participation and rhythmic hand motions. The original “Wheel On The Bus” song included rhymes about the wipers and horn, while later versions created add on’s such as the doors opening and closing,the driver saying “move on back”, the baby going “wah” and the parents going “shh”.
Other Facts
The only permanent character in this nursery rhyme is the bus. This bus is interchangeable, it can be a school bus ,activity bus, a traveling bus or a city bus. The basic purpose for the nursery rhyme is to keep children entertained while riding. There are many instruments used in the “Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round”. One of the most pronounced is the Organ. This instrument can be heard throughout the entire song , giving the rhyme a happy melody with up beat flow. Different versions have remixed up the sound a bit, yet the original still has the organ playing continuously through the song.
Conspiracy Theories
Various people from all walks of life have formed their own theories about what the “Wheels On The Bus ” is actually referring too. Some people think of the nursery rhyme as a euphemism for the hamster on the wheel experience of most human beings on this planet. Things such as going to work/school, paying bills,going home eat, sleep and repeat over and over again. Some believe this is a catchy rhyme to prepare kids for a mundane controlled existence. Others believe it is anti-capitalistic, anti-industrialist and anti-religious. Who knows what the author had in mind when creating this melody and that has lasted just under a century.
In all, to most people it is a nostalgic song that brings back great memories of innocence and optimism for the future. For now “Wheels On The Bus” will remain a staple in preschools and kindergartens.