NURSERY RHYME DOLLS
Introduction | Nursery Rhyme Dolls | FairyTale Dolls | Comic Strip Dolls | Children's Story Books | Bibliography
Probably the most prolific maker of nursery rhyme dolls was Nancy Ann Storybook dolls. Many (if not most) Nursery Rhymes can be connected to events in history. For example, Ring a Ring o Rosies references the bubonic plague. They certainly can be violent such as Humpty Dumpty. Another horrific example is Oranges and Lemons. It is lovely in the beginning - meant to mimic the sound of London Churches. However, the last lines refer to the use of bells to call people to witness an execution.
Oranges and Lemons Poem
"Oranges and lemons" say the Bells of St. Clement's
"You owe me five farthings" say the Bells of St. Martin's
"When will you pay me?" say the Bells of Old Bailey
"When I grow rich" say the Bells of Shoreditch
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow
"Here comes a Candle to light you to Bed
Here comes a Chopper to Chop off your Head
Chip chop chip chop - the Last Man's Dead.
Fortunately, many are sweet, or reveal common childhood events such as taking a tumble as in Jack and Jill, or learning how to garden in Mistress Mary.
Oranges and Lemons Poem
"Oranges and lemons" say the Bells of St. Clement's
"You owe me five farthings" say the Bells of St. Martin's
"When will you pay me?" say the Bells of Old Bailey
"When I grow rich" say the Bells of Shoreditch
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow
"Here comes a Candle to light you to Bed
Here comes a Chopper to Chop off your Head
Chip chop chip chop - the Last Man's Dead.
Fortunately, many are sweet, or reveal common childhood events such as taking a tumble as in Jack and Jill, or learning how to garden in Mistress Mary.