Sweet songs, dark secrets
Nursery rhymes are among the first poems we ever learn, yet many were never written for children at all. Some are veiled political jabs, some commemorate disasters, and a few are simply nonsense that has charmed us for centuries.
What you'll learn
- The real (and sometimes mythical) origins behind classic rhymes
- Which historical figures may be hidden in familiar verses
- How old some of these rhymes truly are
Why it's fun
You'll never sing these the same way again — get ready to be delighted, surprised, and maybe a little spooked.
What to expect
What to expect
Twenty questions ranging from easy crowd-pleasers to a few that will stump even the well-read. We'll cover the words themselves, the popular theories about their meanings, and what historians actually say.
A few you'll face
- What 'Ring a Ring o' Roses' is often said to describe
- Who 'Mary' might be in 'Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary'
- The grim trade behind 'Oranges and Lemons'
Take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy the journey into folklore.
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