Nursery rhymes have been a part of our lives for centuries. The first major volume was Tommy Thumb’s Song Book, followed by Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book, both of which were published in 1744. Many of the songs in this book are recognizable to English speakers and non-English speakers around the world today. Some use nonsense language and fantastical images to engage young singers’ and listeners’ imaginations in new and creative ways. Others have mysterious origins that have led to a variety of wide-ranging and sometimes outrageous interpretations.
In fact, numerous volumes have been written in which writers from all sorts of backgrounds argue for hidden meanings in these childish songs. For example, ‘London Bridge is Falling Down‘ is sometimes associated with quite dark beginnings and deaths during the bridge’s construction. ‘Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary‘ might, some say, be about either Mary Queen of Scots or Mary I of England. Check out more possible interpretations below in our collection of popular nursery rhymes.
‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ or ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ is a popular nursery rhymes, partly due to the finger movements which go along with each line.
This poem is a very famous and well-loved example of a nursery rhyme. It's well-known around the world and is often sung to and with children of all ages. There are few kids who won't know the words to this classic nursery rhyme.
‘The Flower School’ by Rabindranath Tagore beautifully captures nature’s energy, childhood wonder, and the joy of simple, everyday magic
Nursery rhymes are seen in the poem through its comical narrative and playful symbolism. The poem's imaginative portrayal of flowers attending school underground and dancing joyously on the grass evokes a sense of childlike wonder and innocence reminiscent of traditional nursery rhymes. This whimsical tone and imaginative storytelling contribute to the poem's appeal to a younger audience and evoke a sense of nostalgia for childhood.
When storm-clouds rumble in the sky and June showers come down.
The moist east wind comes marching over the heath to blow its
bagpipes among the bamboos.
Then crowds of flowers come out of a sudden, from nobody knows
‘Corner Of the Street’ by A.A. Milne is a short poem about the excitement of a child as they go to a meeting point at the corner of a street.
The simple use of language, the repetition, and the basic rhyming scheme all make this poem feel like a nursery rhyme. The simple language, as well as the onomatopoeia used by the poet, continues to repeat the word "tweet," which would make this poem engaging to young children who would be able to read and understand it, as well as relating to the experiences that are being described in the poem.
Down by the corner of the street
Where the three roads meet,
And the feet
Of the people as they pass go ‘Tweet-tweet-tweet—’
‘Hickory, dickory, dock’ is a well-loved and incredibly popular nursery rhyme that dates to the 18th century. It is quite short, at only five lines, and describes a mouse running up a clock.
'Hickory, dickory, dock' fits perfectly into the nursery rhyme genre. Its short, rhythmic structure and use of repetition are designed to appeal to young children. The simple story of the mouse and clock is easy to understand, and the rhyme is playful, helping children learn language through repetition and sound. The poem’s light-hearted nature and catchy rhythm make it a classic nursery rhyme.
Mother Goose’s ‘Hush little baby, don’t say a word’ is a popular nursery rhyme about a crying child and how parents comfort the child.
'Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word' is a nursery rhymes, a short rhythmic poems meant to comfort and entertain young children. They use simple language and repetition to make children feel safe and comforted. This rhyme reassures the child with promises of gifts, turning tears into happiness and creating a sense of security and love.
A. A. Milne’s ‘Happiness’ is another entry from the Winnie-the-Pooh author that captures the magic of childhood and teaches adults an important lesson about appreciating what you have.
This poem is an excellent representation of a nursery rhyme. Its succinct message and simple rhyme scheme are perfect for children and appeal to adults as well.
‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’ was first recorded in the mid-nineteenth century by James Orchard Halliwell. It was noted, as a great deal of nursery rhymes were, as a children’s game.
This poem falls under the genre of nursery rhymes because it uses simple language, repetition, and rhyme to create a fun and educational song for children. The repetition of daily tasks like brushing teeth and getting dressed makes the poem interactive, allowing children to act out these actions as they sing along. Its playful structure and engaging rhythm perfectly suit the nursery rhyme tradition.
‘Aiken Drum’ is an interesting Scottish folksong. It dates back to 1820 and describes what one strange man’s clothes are made out of.
As a nursery rhyme, ‘Aiken Drum’ uses repetition and a simple, rhythmic structure to appeal to young listeners. Each stanza repeats phrases, making it easy to memorize and sing. Nursery rhymes often have catchy, song-like qualities, and in this poem, the chorus and recurring line “and his name was Aiken Drum” help create a rhythm that keeps children engaged and entertained.
There was a man lived in the moon, lived in the moon, lived in the moon,
‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’ is a funny children’s rhyme. It describes an old lady who swallows everything from a fly to a cat to a horse.
The poem fits the nursery rhyme genre through its simple language and repetitive structure, which makes it easy for children to follow and remember. Each stanza builds on the last, creating a rhythm that is catchy and enjoyable to recite. This structure is common in nursery rhymes, which often aim to entertain and teach through memorable, engaging stories.
In ‘At The Zoo,’ A. A. Milne narrates a trip to the zoo through a child’s eyes. The speaker’s fantastical and mixed-up descriptions of various animals are the source of much amusement.
This poem is an excellent example of a nursery rhyme because of its rhyming verses and light subject matter. The speaker whimsically describes various animals he sees at the zoo over the course of the poem.
A. A. Milne’s ‘Independence’ takes on the perspective of a child seeking freedom from adult control. The poem succinctly rejects patronizing adults who forget a child’s need for independence.
As with many of Milne's poems, 'Independence' is a nursery rhyme. It has a simple rhyming structure and repeating lines that give it an upbeat rhythm. The poem also takes on the perspective of a child, showing the world through his eyes and words.
‘Now We Are Six’ by A. A. Milne is a funny poem. The young speaker talks about what life was like when they were younger than they are now.
Although there are better known nursery rhymes, 'Now We Are Six' is an excellent example because it is composed entirely of couplets and so specifically depicts a child's perspective. Its simplicity is the key to its enduring charm.
‘A Wise Old Owl’ is an English nursery rhyme. It depicts the qualities an owl has that make him wise and worthy of admiration.
The poem fits the nursery rhyme genre, as it uses simple language and rhyme to teach a moral lesson. The short, rhythmic lines are designed to be easy to recite and remember, making it accessible to children. The genre helps the poem convey its message—listening and being thoughtful—by using an owl as a relatable character, making the wisdom lesson engaging for young readers.
‘Life Doesn’t Frighten Me’ by Maya Angelou is a memorable poem that focuses on a child. She takes the reader into this child’s mind who expresses superior courage.
This poem fits into the nursery rhyme genre because of its simple structure, repetition, and playful rhythm. The way the poem repeats phrases like “Life doesn’t frighten me at all” makes it sound like something a child might say to feel brave. Even though the message is strong and meaningful, the poem keeps a light and musical tone that makes it easy to remember.
In ‘Teddy Bear,’ the titular stuffed bear frets about his chubby body. A chance encounter with a plump passerby helps Teddy realize that fat men can still be held in high esteem, giving him newfound confidence about his appearance.
This poem takes the form of a nursery rhyme in its subject and rhyme scheme, which is composed of couplets. There are, however, older and more well-known nursery rhymes.
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