The History of Lucy Locket Rhyme

A nursery rhyme is a traditional poem or song passed down to children in America and many other countries, but it’s known to have originated in Britain. The usage or term only dates from the late eighteenth,early 19th century. Most rhymes are based on truth and was established to tell the town of current events & politics or scandals that occurred. Rhyme was used as an innocent vehicle to relay or poke fun of current leader’s secrets or reveal what was going on during that time! The limerick was easily remembered and convenient for those who could not read or write. Memorization of these catchy rhymes were passed on and often sung by everyone.

The words of the,’Lucy Locket’ rhyme have been primarily based on people and locations in London in the era of the 1700’s.Talk has it Lucy accepted to be a barmaid at a tavern on Fleet Avenue, London. This tavern turned out to be first set up in 1554 and modified in 1888. Samuel Pepys alluded to the tavern in his journal. The impoverished Lucy and Kitty were young women in 18th century London.

The idea is that the pocket was a hidden stash of cash underneath their skirts, secured with a ribbon. Lucy Locket, an employee at the tavern on Fleet Avenue, took on a suitor moonlighting. The tale is that Lucy took a  love interest who became her ‘pocket.’ The ‘ribbon’ refers to the commonplace method that some women used to keep their money secure, by a ribbon or string tied to their inner clothing.

Miss Locket ran fast thru her lover’s available financial earnings and cast him aside. Reluctantly he turned to Kitty Fisher for comfort. Now this cynical rhyme isn’t complete without scandalous Kitty Fisher a vibrant woman with feminine charm. Kitty is what we would call a socialite today, and she loved to entertain. Fisher’s reasons for taking Locket’s torn lover, considering that he was not able to compensate her financially regardless, Fisher taunted Locket by placing a ribbon around Locket’s ex-beau for her meanness.

Kitty turned in short a vindictive woman to swoop her rival’s lover up in spite of his lack of budget. So to understand this harmless nursery rhyme Ms. Locket grew tired of her lover due to his lack of monetary funds, but argued with Lady Fisher for allowing herself this man’s company.