Human beings are strange animals. We all seem to think that everything we think and speak is something new and original and profound. It’s not until we mature into thinking adults (most of us) that we realize just how repetitive and cyclical almost everything is. Todays post will concern a few classic nursery rhymes we’ve all heard or used and the approximate date of their origins. Have fun.

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“Hush-a-Bye Baby” – 1765, New England

Hush-a-bye baby, on the tree top,

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,

Down will come baby, cradle, and all.

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“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” – Pre-1760, England

Baa, baa, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes, sir, yes, sir,

Three bags full . . .

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“Hey Diddle Diddle” – Post-1569, Europe

Hey diddle diddle,

The cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon . . .

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“Sing a Song of Sixpence” – Pre-1744 – England

Sing a song of sixpence,

A pocket full of rye;

Four and twenty blackbirds,

Baked in a pie.

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Here’s a special ditty just for Mary (my better-half).

“Mary, Mary” – 18th Century – England

Mary, Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells,

and pretty maids all in a row.

Secular tradition claims the original ” Mary” was actually Mary, Queen of Scots

ROCK-A-BYE BABIES, DON’T YOU CRY

(Special Thanks to Charles Panati)