Ring Around the Rosie
Alternative Lyrics & Words
2nd verse
The cows are the meadow
eating buttercups.
Thunder, lightening,
they all stand up!
Lyrics for the "A Ring a Ring of Roses" version
A ring, a ring of roses,
A pocket full of posies,
Tish-yoo, a-tish-yoo,
We all fall down.
Information About This Song
Many music historians feel this song has its roots in the bubonic plague that swept through Europe. It was somewhat macabre, with references to a rosie ring (infection), posies (which supposedly warded off infection), and the cremation that was performed on those who died to prefent the spread of the disease. And you thought it was just a fun little rhyme!
Notion associated with the meaning of this song
"Ring Around the Rosies"
This line was in reference to the red X with a circled around it that was drawn on the doors of homes to warn people that someone inside that house had been or is dying from the plague.
"Pocket full of posies"
This is in regards to the boils and blisters that often came with the plague.
"Ashes, ashes"
The bodies were indeed burned along with the homes and possessions of those who died.
"we all fall down"
It was believed in that dark time that this was the Lord's way of ridding the earth of the sinners and everyone would die.
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Comments (22)
By Alex in Florida on 19 December 2008
Don't you know that this song is about dying .aka. (The Bubonic Plague) or (The Black Death) ring around the rosie means the red ring looking rashes that firsts appear on the body, pockets full of posies means the flowers or herbs the people put in there pockets, ashes ashes means the burning of the dead and, we all fall down means everyone is or does die.
By Susan Locke in Houston, Usa on 21 December 2008
We'll be singing the alternative version from now on, along with deleting "rock a bye baby." Scary if you pay close attention to the lyrics. Check it out for yourself.
By Laura in Cincinnati Oh on 30 January 2009
yes, the song is about dying. And "rule of thumb" means you can only beat your wife with a stick no bigger than the width of your thumb, but no one means that when they use the term. You can "pc" yourself to no end. Relax. Kids have been singing the song for hundreds of years, and they've all survived to tell about it.
By Datura in Hard Hittin, Usa on 18 February 2009
This is NOT about the plague. go check snopes if you don't believe me.
By Hailee in Australia on 25 February 2009
IT IS ABOUT THE PLAGUE CUZ WERE STUDYING IT IN SCHOOL...duh!
By Sanjay in Indore, Mp on 2 March 2009
in the very old days, there was a virus going around, called bubonic plague, ring around the rosies means: they used to gather around the coffins and throw in roses, the pocket full of posies means: it stunk from the dead bodies so they threw around posies, ashes, ashes, means: they creamated the bodies and there were ashes everywhere. we all fall down means: a more pleasant way of saying we all fall dead. they sung that song while holding hands in a circle. they thought that if they did it, it would get rid of the plague. a song of terrible memories is now a classical children's song
By Keila in Hazelton Idaho on 16 April 2009
hahahhaha im studying this for my medieval fair! i sing this with my niece all the time! ahhh. i hate the middle ages.
By Madelle in Kekaha,hi,kaui on 22 April 2009
Hi my name is Madelle I am reacherching about ring around the rosie will you help me
By Cindy in Florida on 15 June 2009
Hahaha
By Ammy And Emmi in California on 5 July 2009
muahahahaha its about the plauge! and if u listen to it real closly then little kids shoulnd sing this because its violent and about death...
By Shanny in England on 5 July 2009
it is from the black death coz were studying it a school, but i need more lyrics to it
By Nina in Australia on 21 July 2009
Wow, I sang this song when I was younger never knowing it's about death :S oh my..
By Paige in Itasca Ill. on 6 October 2009
acutally ashes ashes means when they put the ashes on the doors of the sick to let people know they had the plauge.
By Lalu in England on 9 October 2009
About the Black Plague when they called for people to "bring out their dead" so the bodies could be burned to stop the plague. Rings or wreaths of roses were often put out with the bodies.. A good way to remember what happened, but I don't think its acceptable for kids to be singing in the playground.
By Dee Lasfar in Virginia Beach, Va Usa``````````````` on 10 October 2009
I have sang this song for many years and never new the background to it till this week. Wow
By A Guy in The Boons Canada on 1 November 2009
To everyone saying "It can't be about death caus' its a kids song *doyh*." Yes it can, look at anything in history from paintings to literature for plays and you see its a coping mechanism, if you don't believe me go read some shakesphere. Take Hamlet for example, it has a scene where two grave diggers are actually making fun of death and the dead while digging up old graves to make new ones.
By Everyone Is Stupid in England on 25 December 2009
haha kids songs can't be morbid? Ever heard of London Bridges? Dumb people.
By Slaiw in Texas Usa on 13 January 2010
Actully all this happened when the french were killing jews,i learned bout it this year and if any of you haveheard of Anne Frank and her story you would know about the camps. gas "showers" it is really sad you can also learn about it if you watch the movie "The boy in Striped pajamas" only the german were killing the jews no the frenc.Here are some examples of where you can things that will help you find out more about these things: Books, twenty and ten, anne frank : Movies, The boy in striped pajamas. All the people who take my advice will know what im talking about. But peace out people And dont cry
By Claire - Louie in Johannesburg on 16 January 2010
honestly do we really care? It just so complicated , instead of debating it lets just believe this the song was created by aliens k?
By Another Guy in Usa on 18 January 2010
Look, the theory that this rhyme is about death is fairly recent, it appeared after WWII. Although there is some merit to it, a number of the images from the song could indeed represent the effects of the Plague, the current belief is that this interpretation is incorrect. Oh, and by the way, where the heck did you find violence in this nursery rhyme?
By Another Guy in Usa on 18 January 2010
Look, the theory that this rhyme is about death is fairly recent, it appeared after WWII. Although there is some merit to it, a number of the images from the song could indeed represent the effects of the Plague, the current belief is that this interpretation is incorrect. Oh, and by the way, where the heck did you find violence in this nursery rhyme?
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By Cody in Victory on 18 November 2008
hahahaha