Lullabies Before Sleep

We know that children’s literature appeared in the middle of the 18th century, which means many fairy-tales and songs for kids started appearing after this time. 

One of the oldest songs for kids was meant to be lullabies but the thing is some of them, the most famous we know, carry specific and creepy meaning.  

One of the most shocking discoveries for me was a nursery rhyme about a black sheep. 

“Ba-ba black sheep have you any wool?” 

The legs of this one, is more of a mocking nursery rhyme about the year of 1275 when the tax for wool was too high, and it appeals rising slavery from Africa to America. 

“London Bridge is falling down”

There are so many conspiracy theories about this one, beginning from the attack of the Vikings in early 1000, till the theory that this bridge was built on the remains of human bodies. This is Japanese 15th century custom Hitobashira, in the foundation of the building or a bridge buried alive a person, like a prayer to the god, for the protection of this building. In 2007 there was some human remains in the foundation of the London Bridge. 

“Ring around the Rosie” 

This one also has historical meaning. It was the times of the plague in 15th century, when it took a huge amount of people in that time. In the song people are carrying flowers to not feel the dead people around. Also, ashes in the song, and all fall down. It was meant to be believed that even after the bodies were burnt, and ashes were speared around you could still get sick from them. So, it’s kind of a dark nursery rhyme too. 

What I can say is that in the future there will not be nursery rhymes about COVID, wars and other natural disasters, or even about dictators, maybe just love and kindness can be a part of children’s songs.