The nursery rhyme “Ring around the Rosie” is familiar to generations of children who have sung and acted out its short, memorable verses. This simple singing-game, where participants hold hands and move in a circle before suddenly dropping to the ground, is often considered harmless fun. However, the rhyme has become the subject of historical debate, leading many to question the rumored meaning hidden within its lyrics, particularly regarding its connection to one of the darkest periods in European history.
The Literal Meaning of the Verse
Analyzing the words of the rhyme suggests a simple folk activity. The initial line, “Ring around the Rosie,” describes forming a circle to dance or play a game. In early variations, the “rosie” may have referred to a child standing in the center of the ring, perhaps representing a rose bush.
The phrase “A pocket full of posies” refers to a collection of small flowers or herbs. Flowers and fragrant herbs were historically used for decoration and to mask unpleasant odors. This suggests a connection to traditional May Day or Whitsunday celebrations, where children would gather wreaths and garlands.
The final action, “We all fall down,” was not always a literal collapse. Historically, this line often commanded a curtsy, bow, or sudden stoop, common actions in traditional children’s singing-games. These elements describe a non-sinister parlor game centered on flowers and movement.
The Popular Plague Interpretation
The most enduring belief concerning the rhyme is that its lyrics secretly describe the Great Plague of London in 1665. This theory connects each line of the verse to a specific symptom, preventative measure, or outcome of the bubonic plague. According to this narrative, the “rosie” was a euphemism for the red, circular rash that sometimes appeared on the body.
The next line, “A pocket full of posies,” is interpreted as a direct reference to the miasma theory of disease. People in the 17th century believed that foul odors caused illness, so they carried sweet-smelling herbs and flowers, or posies, to ward off the disease and mask the stench of death. The line often rendered as “Ashes, Ashes” or “A-tishoo, A-tishoo” is claimed to represent the violent sneezing that was a symptom of the pneumonic form of the plague. The fatal conclusion, “We all fall down,” is then seen as a metaphor for the widespread death.
However, this interpretation is largely rejected by folklorists and historians. The plague theory itself did not emerge until the mid-20th century, centuries after the major plague outbreaks in Europe. There is no documented evidence, written or oral, linking the rhyme to the 14th or 17th-century plagues. Furthermore, many early versions of the rhyme, particularly those found in continental Europe, lacked the specific words—like the sneezing sound or the “Ashes, Ashes”—that are central to the plague interpretation. The symptoms of the plague, such as the buboes, also do not align precisely with the simple image of a “rosie”.
Documented Origins and Alternative Theories
Historical evidence places the rhyme’s origins much later than the plague era, with the earliest recorded versions appearing in the late 18th and 19th centuries. A German version, which involved children sitting down, was documented in 1796. The first printed English version appeared in an American novel in 1855.
Folklorists agree that the rhyme is a variation of a widespread European children’s singing-game. These games often involved circle dancing and a concluding action, such as curtseying or falling down. In the 19th century, the song and game were popular as “play parties” in America and parts of England.
The “play party” theory suggests the rhyme’s popularity was boosted by Protestant denominations that discouraged traditional social dancing. Children and young adults used rhyming songs, rather than instrumental music, to accompany their circle dances. This allowed them to enjoy the social structure of dancing without violating religious prohibition. The rhyme is therefore considered by scholars to be a simple children’s pastime, reflecting social customs and play traditions.