Comments on: 10 Popular Nursery Rhymes That are Incredibly Depressing, Terrifyingly Violent and Disturbingly Tragic for Children

By: Tess

Tess — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:56:09 +0000

Hi Sher,

You have done a really good job of these, I think many things we read or sing to children is coded but it’s ok because they don’t really figure it out until they are older!
I have heard many different theories about some of the nursery rhymes… for instance i have heard Humpty Dumpty had nothing to do with a random egg, Humpty Dumpty was a massive war cannon sitting on the top of a castle wall which was the main defence mechanism for the British army. While they were not paying attention the opposing army pulled it off the wall causing it to smash and it coudln’t be fixed -by the british army (kings horses and men) because it was so damaged.
There are mant interpretations of everything though, I guess it’s just what assimilates best in ones mind.

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:35:43 +0000

A profound personal view on some very disturbing childrens nursey rhymes; THANK YOU.

By: alice

alice — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:50:26 +0000

i threw my pumpkins away

By: The Ponderer

The Ponderer — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:33:16 +0000

What must be understood about these things is that back when these nursery rhymes were first made, whipping your children wasn’t considered an atrocity. Much of the things in these nursery rhymes were sadly common-place during that era. Because they didn’t have the same empathy and compassion for human life as we do now. I’m not saying they were barbarians, but when people die left and right since the day you’re born, you tend to grow calloused to that sort of thing.

If you want something truly macabre, you should look up the original Fairy Tales that were compiled by the Grimm Brothers. Those were positively lovely.

You did a good job a deciphering the rhymes, awesome article!

By: keracat

keracat — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:56:49 +0000

Actually the Rock-a-bye baby is about the english royal family, I can’t remember exactly who or what but what happened was the king devorced/ killed the queen and got another one and she was expecting. Then the church got a distant relitive to come in and make the King run with his queen and newborn. Basically meaning the baby and the king and queen couldn’t be the rulers anymore. Sorry I couldn’t tell it better. When you know the names and who did what it makes more sense…

By: ivy0x0

ivy0x0 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:42:48 +0000

i think that lizzie bordon should have beaten humpty dumpty

Lizzi Bordon had an axe
Gave her mother forty whacks
When she had saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one

Also “what the blind man saw,” and “the death and burial of poor cock robin”
Those are pretty messed up too…….

By: shimelle

shimelle — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:19:50 +0000

I happen to be 17 year old looking for research for an english speech. I just want to say that there is no such thing as a child being influanced by “horrible and death oriantated” nursery rhymes. When I was a child I never saw any of these things.(I happen to know every single rhyme mentioned and more). The only problem is that adults like you look to deeply into these type of things. If you really want to protect your child from violence switch off the TV. There is some major violence on that machine and not only that but children laugh out of characters making a mockery out of others. The reason Tv is so dangerous is because your child can see the violence, but witha nursery rhyme your children sees its own image and believe me it won’t be one of violence.

By: idgas

idgas — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:28:53 +0000

this is rather interesting and each one of ur oppinions is rediculous lol

By: marlene S.

marlene S. — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:13:35 +0000

Laughing and Still singing:
No matter what these rhymes really mean..my kids sang these songs, my grandkids sing them, and so will their own offsprings, etc. etc. No one takes them seriously; just like Mickey Mouse…did you ever see a rodent who was less repulsive and more loveable? Or a sillly ghost like Casper who was less frightening?
And what about those “fairy” tales, ie:Hansel and Gretal, Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and especially Snow White, that trollop living with seven little men? Even by today’s standards society would have a word for her…
Nuf said….

By: born in poverty

born in poverty — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:58:02 +0000

maybe the reason the “old mother in the shoe” beat her children is because broth isnt very filling and and a sound beating would cause crying and then the children would bcome very tired.