Let's talk Nursery Rhymes

[Jadzia]

^^

That one always confused me - you're meant to settle a child to sleep with those lyrics? I don't think so!

It works though doesn't it? How many children honestly lay awake interpreting it? Most would be soothed by the gentle swaying rhythm.

Most nursery rhymes shouldn't be taken literally anyway, they're typically rhymes full of metaphor and symbolism.

The Grand of Duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
and he marched them down again.
And when they were up, they were up.
And when they were down, they were down.
And when they were only half way up,
they were neither up nor down.

And from this, we learn that being indecisive or fickle can lead to ill-preparedness. And people might make up parodic songs about you afterwards.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

The Grand of Duke of York, he had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
and he marched them down again.
And when they were up, they were up.
And when they were down, they were down.
And when they were only half way up,
they were neither up nor down.

And from this, we learn that being indecisive or fickle can lead to ill-preparedness. And people might make up parodic songs about you afterwards.

Either that, or it's an allegory about hedonism, recreational drug use, and sexual and spiritual energy. (But hey, isn't everything in life about that? [No - someone])

 

[Jadzia]

Then up Jack got and off did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
To old Dame Dob, who patched his nob
With vinegar and brown paper.

Dame Dob was a sadist!

I think your parents told you the dirty version.

It traditionally ends,
"He went to bed to mend his head,
with vinegar and brown paper"

 

[Gertch]

I liked George Carlin's version best. Otherwise they all teach kids negative lessons as you've all been pointing out.

Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Jack jumped over the candlestick
and burnt the hair off his balls.

Teaches you to not play with fire.

Hickory Dickory Dock
Three mice ran up the clock
The clock struck one
and the other two escaped with minor injuries.

If you're going to run around a clock, for God's sake be careful.