General Chat

We all know Jack and Jill. According to a new book out it's a cautionary tale about pre-marital sex with poor Jill ending up pregnant. Goosey Goosey Gander, with the lines "Whither shall I wander? Upstairs and downstairs, and in my lady's chamber." This is a reference to the class-crossing spread of venereal disease, which was commonly referred to as 'goose bumps' because of the swellings it caused on the skin. Baa Baa Black Sheep is about taxation. What others do we know?

Hi Trish, This site lists rhymes and meanings: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/nursery_rhymes/nursery_rhymes_index.htm Crista

Heres one from that site Crista that I remember well: Simple Simon met a pieman going to the fair; Said Simple Simon to the pieman "Let me taste your ware" Said the pieman to Simple Simon "Show me first your penny" Said Simple Simon to the pieman "Sir, I have not any!" Simple Simon went a-fishing for to catch a whale; All the water he had got was in his mother's pail. Simple Simon went to look if plums grew on a thistle; He pricked his fingers very much which made poor Simon whistle. He went for water in a sieve but soon it all fell through; And now poor Simple Simon bids you all "adieu" Origins and history to lyrics In the days before fast food and convenience restaurants were invented food was sold from individuals. A fair was an extremely popular place to sell 'your ware' The tradition and history of fairs dates back to before the period in history referred to as Medieval England. The term 'Adieu' meaning 'Goodbye' is no longer used in the English language but will never be lost forever due to rhymes such as Simple Simon