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Rhymes of Darkness

Rhymes Of Darkness

When we were children we where taught nursery rhymes,
And they use to make us happy. Rhymes like London Bridge
And Ring-A-Ring-A-Rosie - these all sound innocent to children.
These rhymes had a more sinister theme, for example, the 
Rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down, was actually a fact back
In the 19th century in London, where the bridge on the river 
Thames was slowly sinking at a rapid rate into the water, making
It unsafe to handle people and traffic. It was at the verge of 
Collapse. Thus the rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down,
Meant that if it were to collapse, people would drown and die.
Another rhyme goes back to the plague of London, where people 
Wore face masks  to prevent catching the black plague that
Was brought about by the growth of the rat population. When 
People caught this disease they would hang wreaths of posies 
On the doors of the sick people, and that later produced the rhyme
Ring-A-Ring-A-Rosie, referring to the black plague of London.
'They all fall down', meant that they died from the disease as there 
Was no known antidote at that time. In the end the fire in a
Bakery in Pudding Lane caused the destruction of the plague
And pestilence, and London and it's people were eventually
Saved. Yes, these events created nursery rhymes that children
Have heard through the ages and have loved to read for fun.
They will never know the sinister side of these nursery rhymes.

Copyright © John Ginesi | Year Posted 2013

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