Mother Goose's nursery rhymes had undoubtedly gained popularity among children from various generations. Yet, unknown to many, Mother Goose is not just a story teller but a reformist using nursery rhymes as a tool to share the corruption and deceit of both the social and political system back in the day.
1. BAA, BAA BLACK SHEEP (1731)
According to scholars, BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP talks about a Medieval English tax on wool introduced in 1275 called the Great Custom. Other theories also stated that the rhyme talks about slave trade. Yet, the words 'black' and 'master' allegedly connotes racism putting in question its political correctness. In the latter part of the 20th century, schools banned the rhyme while others changed the words to something more neutral. In 2011, news.com.au released a report that some schools in Queensland started to sing the song again but used an alternative changing the 'black sheep' to 'rainbow sheep.'
2. GOOSEY GOOSEY GANDER (1784)
This nursery rhyme talks about the tale of religious persecution of Catholic priests some time ago. In this dark era, Catholic priests were not allowed to say their payers in Latin- thus, resulted to hiding. The original version states, "Who wouldn't say his prayers. So I took him by his left leg. And threw him down the stairs."
3. JACK AND JILL (18TH CENTURY)
Jack and Jill might be one of the most famous among the nursery rhymes but its origins have hidden meanings as well. One theory states that 'Jack' and 'Jill' is the story of France's Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, who were accused of treason and were then beheaded. But since this event happened 30 years after Jack and Jill was written, other historians believed that the story is more likely in relation to King Charles I's attempt to reform tax on liquid measures. After the parliament rejected his request, he reduced the volume on half and quarter pints, known as jacks and gills.
4. LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN (1744)
There were various theories about the origin of this classic kid's tune. However, the most popular is about an alleged 1014 Vikings attack under Olaf II of Norway which destroyed the London Bridge in the early 1000s. Though, this story had not been supported by historians since no archaeological evidence was ever found.
5. MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY (1744)
This English nursery rhyme is said to be a recount of the murderous nature of Queen Mary I of England, also known as the Bloody Mary. Being a Catholic fanatic, Queen Mary I executed hundreds of Protestants in her reign from 1553 to 1558. The 'silver bells' and 'cockle shells' in the song are not supposed to be garden tools but torture devices.
6. THREE BLIND MICE (1805)
This rhyme is still in connection with the reign of Bloody Mary. It is said that the 'three blind mice' were three Protestant bishops that tried to overthrow the queen- Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Radley, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer. Unsuccessful, they were burned at the stake for heresy. The 'blindness' might refer to their religious beliefs according to some historians.
7. EENY, MEENY, MINY, MO
Eeny, meeny, miny mo might just be a simple counting game for kids. Yet, issues of racism also surround this poem. The word 'tiger' had been a replacement for the offensive n-word. Thus, even if the lyrics had been changed, the song still remains unethical for other.
8. HERE WE GO AROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH (1840)
Historian R. S. Duncan suggests that the origin of this children's game came from a 420-year old institution's female prisoners who were exercised around a mulberry tree.
9. ROCK-A-BYE BABY (1765)
It is believed that this lullaby is about the son of King James II of England and Mary of Modena. The child was said to be not their own, but he was passed off into the birthing room to ensure an heir to the throne.
10. RING AROUND THE ROSIE (1881)
This classic nursery rhyme is said to be connected to the 1665 Great Plague of London. 'The rosie' verse refers to the rash that covered the victims' bodies. And the rotten smell was covered up with 'a pocket full of posies.' This plague killed almost 15 percent of London which relates to its final verse- 'Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down.'
11. OLD MOTHER HUBBARD (1805)
This poem is said to have been written to mock the political downfall of Cardinal Thomas Wosley after he refused to grant the annulment to King Henry VIII so that he can be married to Anne Boleyn.