Ring Around the Rosie

"Ring Around the Rosie" or "Ring a Ring o' Roses" is an English nursery rhyme and a playground or garden game as well. The rhyme was first recorded in 'Mother Goose or the Old Nursery Rhymes" in 1881; but it is possible the song and its melody date back a further 100 hundred years. The rhyme is better known as "Ring a Ring o" Roses" in the UK; also the words can differ region by region, although the tune remains consistent. There was also a German rhyme from 1796 that loosely resembled the words and actions of "Ring Around the Rosie".

A common theory suggests 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! However, this theory appears to have emerged in more recent times and is considered by many folklore scholars to be baseless.

Notions 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.