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Ring a ring o' rosies
A pocketful of posies
"Atishoo, Atishoo"
We all fall down!
Origins
in English History
The lyrics to this nursery rhyme has its origins as a children's ring game. The
period in history dates back to the great plague of London in 1665 (bubonic
plague). The symptoms of the plague included a raised red rash on
the skin (Ring a ring o' rosies) and violent sneezing (Atishoo,
Atishoo) A pouch of sweet smelling herbs or posies were carried
due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells.
The death rate was over 60% and the plage was only halted by the
Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats which carried
the disease which had been transmitting it to water sources. |
