Ring Around the Rosie: Learn The Truth Behind This Popular Nursery Rhyme and Game

Playing Ring Around the RosieDo you remember playing Ring Around the Rosie as a child?  I do!  I remember playing this game when I was fairly young.  When my son came home from daycare a few days ago saying “posies, posies” while grabbing his older brother’s hand.  I was trying to figure out what he was talking about.  My son would grab his older brother’s hand  and start walking around in circles until they both fell down.  Then it clicked in my head that he was playing Ring Around the Rosie with his older brother.  My youngest son thinks it is hilarious to fall down on the floor.

Disclosure: The opinions reflected in this post are my own and may vary from your own opinions of the Nursery Rhyme.

I decided to investigate the origin of this nursery rhyme after my husband told me that it was talking about the Bubonic Plaque.  I was curious to see if this was true since I had never heard that rumor before.

Ring Around the Rosie is a popular childhood Nursery Rhyme that has been around since the mid 1300’s.  However, due to contrary belief most people don’t know what the origin or story behind this popular kids nursery rhyme.  Many people believe that this song was written about the “Black or Bubonic Plague”; however, according to Snopes this rumor is false.  The popular nursery rhyme original origin is unknown and people later decided to tie the nursery rhyme to the bubonic plague that swept through Western Europe.  In 1350, the bubonic plague was responsible for killing over a third of the people that resided in Western Europe.

“Ring Around the Rosie,

pocket full of posies,

ashes ashes,

we all fall down.”

Continue Reading: About The Truth Around Ring Around the Rosie

Comments

10 responses to “Ring Around the Rosie: Learn The Truth Behind This Popular Nursery Rhyme and Game”

  1. Rebel Sweetheart Avatar

    I think I’ve heard of this somewhere before. From my great grandma, I reckon. 🙂

    1. Christy Avatar

      Cool, thank you for sharing.

  2. Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com Avatar

    Our version we grew up with says “a tissue, a tissue, all fall down”
    Interesting – so your husband was “kinda” right…

    1. Christy Avatar

      Yes he was on the right track.

  3. April - My Bizarre Family Avatar

    That’s cool! I’ve never heard of it being tied into the bubonic plague. I’m glad it’s not true! Had no idea it has been around for so long! Wow!

    1. Christy Avatar

      I am glad that isn’t tied to the bubonic plague too.

  4. rhonda Avatar

    That’s something – really something to me. The way a lot of nursery rhymes and fairytales are SO dark. I never heard this backstory, but I should have known it came something sort of bleak, lol. Awesome post. I love random info. I’ll pass it along and once again I say – I learn something new every day!!

    1. Christy Avatar

      I never realized that some of the nursery rhymes were so dark either. I am happy that you learned something new Rhonda.

  5. PAm Avatar

    very intresting

    1. Christy Avatar

      Yes, very interesting Pam. 🙂