We have all sung and danced to the Ring Around the Rosie song growing up. This song has children all holding hands and spinning in a delightful circle full of giggles before all crashing to the floor together. Yes, ring around the rosie, pockets full of posies. How pleasant does it sound to have a pocket full of flowers? But is this a sweet, friendly song, or do the origins come from a deeper place? Like most nursery rhymes, the history of Ring around the Rosie may surprise you. But before you know this, you should first know that today this tune is known to be a children’s favorite among preschool-aged children. You would most likely hear this song in a daycare or preschool. Or even a kindergarten television show. Regardless of the history, today’s playful version is a phenomenal way for children to learn social skills, memorization, motor skills and more.
The History of This Rhyme
This nursery rhyme was sung in various parts of Europe during the Great Plague. It was supposedly a description of the symptoms and experiences of somebody dying from the plague and what the survivors did after losing a loved one to the disease. What the ring around the rosie was describing the rosy rash that would appear in the shape of a ring. This was the first sign that you came in contact with sickness.
Is There More Than One?
There are different variations of this nursery rhyme that probably have not heard. One modification does not include a pocket full of posies but instead a bottle full of posies. Another variation has the pocket full of posies but then says, “Hush Hush Hush Hush, we all fall down”! The version that is sung today in preschools around the country is the one that you are most familiar.
Some people think this song is one of the most popular kid songs in time. It comes along with a fun dance that makes children laugh and play. Even though the origins may not be as delightful as you would have thought, happy things manifested from the creation of this song. Preschool kids all over have a fun way to bond and learn. Today, children all over love to memorize and sing this song throughout preschools and learning centers. It is an interactive fun nursery rhyme that we all love to quote. Have you ever watched a group of children laughing and singing this song? It is a heartwarming and joyful to see the jovial game. This kids song will be around for many more years to come!