Hickory Dickory Dock's Hidden Message!

[@ThaShortGame]

Hands down, one of the best offerings KZbin hides...

[@squiresquiffy3728]

The Young Cromwell explanation rings true for me, although I wouldn’t call what he did cowardly. Sadly our modern leaders do not consider their mediocrity to be a bar to their attaining high office.

[@pashakdescilly7517]

The mediocre fight to gain positions of power and hold on to them as long as they can

[@rogerclark9285]

Who among them rises to the level of mediocrity?

[@squiresquiffy3728]

@@rogerclark9285 yes indeed, who!?

[@rathertiredofthemess2841]

Well? If all the mediocrity resigned, white folks would have no one speaking for them.

[@rathertiredofthemess2841]

@@rogerclark9285well as a Native American, England did not send its brightest nor its best. So what part of that confused you?

[@deewesthill1213]

There is a children's counting out rhyme that (as i recall) goes: "Intery, mintery, cuttery, corn, apple seed and apple thorn. Wire, briar, limber, lock. Three geese in a flock. One flew east and one flew west and one flew over the cuckoo's nest. Out goes you!". (At the end the kid saying the rhyme points their finger at the kid counted out). I hope you can do a show on that one!

[@RedactedcommentMan]

Duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck..... Goose!

[@deewesthill1213]

@@RedactedcommentMan One potato, two potato, three potato, four. Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more! 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔.....

[@nomadpi1]

Thank you for your comment. At 79 yrs old, I often wondered, but never searched for these item's origins. I know from a biography of a teacher, at Roswell, NM, who used the the "Three geese.in a flock..." to skip rope, but you supplied me more info. Now, got any info on my maternal grandmother (Texas raised) who used a rhyme on my mother, " Bunny rabbit, bunny rabbit, your tail's sure white, "Yes by golly, it snowed last night...?"

[@YSLRD]

My Tennessee hills mom taught it to us without the first line. I haven't heard that for many years.

[@joywebster2678]

Haven't heard that one since my grandparents would say it they were born late 1800s in England. Many of the original fairy tales ( vs disney) and nursery rhymes learned from them. The emigrated from Britain to Canada during the great depression.

[@lauradavison4044]

As a retired nursery teacher I love these ideas about the origins of Nursery Rhymes.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Now that is interesting. I'd never considered that "Tumbledown Dick" could have been the inspiration for this seemingly nonsense rhyme. Makes sense though, most nursery rhymes are about public events, so it fits.

[@ice9snowflake187]

It's about Cromwell probably, using the cathedral clock's varmint problem as a metaphor, and some common folk knowledge of the old counting-rhyme system.

[@deniaridley]

My thought exactly.

[@wsotw2218]

Yes a combination of the 3 would be likely, as it's smart word play, and all 3 would have been fairly common information around the time. But Cromwell being the reason for the rhyme's creation.

[@ruthd7274]

yes. this! Typical of the English sense of humour.

[@EduardQualls]

This is interesting because my mother would entertain me as a child with the _yan, tan, tither, ..._ counting words. Mind you, this was in the hills of central Arkansas during the late 1950's, early '60's. During high school, by which time I'd become very interested in British Literature & English linguistics, I noticed my (relatively uneducated) mother using Elizabethan words or turns of phrase--her paternal line goes back through Appalachia to the mid-1600's in early North Carolina and Virginia, so her memory of English country customs does not surprise me. Beyond that, having started speaking French at 10 years of age, I actually learned the clock-rhyme in that language: _Higoré, digoré, doge. / Le rat monte ­à l'horloge. / Une heure frappe; / Le rat s'échappe. / Higoré, digoré, doge._ (I don't remember its source.)

[@zaphodthenth]

Looking at the first line of this rhyme in another language, it is very easy to conclude that "Hickory Dickory Dock" is an anglicized version of it.

[@Haley497]

We shall never know wether the original was French or English, the French one could well be a fabulous translation that kept faithful to the rhyme ❤

[@arneherstad2198]

I met a guy with an English accent in Oregon 50 years ago. I asked what part of England he was from. "Arkansas" he replied. True story.

[@lunchymunchy2984]

That’s pretty cool

[@lunchymunchy2984]

@@arneherstad2198of course lots of modern us place names are taken rom English lace names... ot sure about Arkansas though.. sounds more like a Native American word to me for no reason I can articulate😅

[@fabiosplendido9536]

For what it's worth I'd say #3 is the meaning and #2 is the reason for its structure.

[@alisonfraser8231]

Yes, an artist rarely has a single inspiration. But the fact that he was known as hickory Dick can’t be ignored.

[@mdeeaonetwothree5162]

It’s like a meme on TikTok, using a Taylor Swift song

[@random_adventuring]

I vote for #3. I think it's cheeky British humour of the time

[@davidarundel6187]

All 3 readings , have their merits . The Exeter Cathedrals clock , is quite a Beautiful instrument and helpful . Thank you for your insights .

[@The-Resurrectionists]

You're very welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@futatorius]

The ancient catflap is a more popular tourist attraction. People have asked me for directions to it (I live in Exeter). The vaulting in the cathedral is far more worth seeing though.

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you for this fine video. Thanks for, objectively, providing the three theories. Lots of great research and visuals. Well and professionally produced.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much :) 🖤

[@loyalrammy]

I thing the Oliver Cromwell theory sounds the best, although the clock and cat story is very fun.

[@nolaparton-jones8932]

Your voice is very pleasant to listen to. And your research into the facts of these incidences is very good and appreciated. It is fascinating to learn about all of these historical facts. I believe this one to be about Richard Cromwell. It makes the most sense of the three, although all are fascinating!! Thank you for your channel, I have subscribed!! I have always been fascinated by nursery rhymes and committed to memory a great many of them, so to learn about their possible origins intrigues me!!

[@JungleJoeVN]

I love being referred to as a Darkling along with the rest of your viewers; it's so sweet. I think it was about the clock. The original rhyme has the word dicke which is an old German word for thick or fat. So, this would go along with the animal fat used in the clock.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

That's a great observation! Thank you for sharing 🖤 :)

[@laicamusic1]

I also think it's the clock, and I think it's based on the sound that an old clock mechanism makes

[@deewesthill1213]

Allegedly Richard Cromwell's enemies called him "Queen Dick" and referred to "Dick's hatband", which meant he had no crown, i.e. no royal authority, only his lowly hatband. If a coin was called "queer as Dick's hatband", that meant it was counterfeit. I do see a connection with all 3 possible origins. Maybe if his enemies saw him as a timorous mouse, they saw themselves as cats, making fun of him just as cats play with mice before killing them. If so, no wonder he abdicated. The scared mouse had good reason to fear his time might be up, so he quit and ran away.

[@acswebb]

You might want to look up the meaning of the word "darkling". It's not related to "darling", if that's what you're thinking.

[@tinapuddin9923]

The one that always Disturbed me was the nursery rhyme the old woman in the shoe I would love to see you do a video on that one and what you think the meaning behind it is because it is kind of dark.

[@freyatilly]

It is available

[@tashuntka]

I can't find it... link please 🙏?

[@The-Resurrectionists]

I haven't made a video on it yet but it is in the pipeline! :) Thank you so much, glad you're enjoying my channel 🖤

[@tinapuddin9923]

@@freyatilly I'm sure it is available I can Google it and see but I would like to hear the interpretation of it from this channel.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Glad to know I’m not the only one who finds it creepy!

[@tomking5855]

The most logical and fitting origin of this child’s rhyme appears to me to be founded in the story of Richard Cromwell’s inglorious flight out of England. I thank you for your research and wonderful video production. Keep up the good work! ❤

[@kurthaussecker]

There is another meaning of the work "clock". In the 17th and 18th century, fashionable stockings had triangular gussets at the ankle often ornamented with embroidery called "clocks". A "mouse" running up a stockinged leg and leaving again in the wee hours of the morning could be a comment on the legitimacy of the children of some public figure at the time.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

That's a great observation! Thank you for sharing 🖤

[@Templeborough]

Yes, thank you. Another possible explanation.

[@Haley497]

THIS is why I adore the darklings community! Wish we could create a club just for sharing our love and knowledge!

[@an-tm3250]

Fascinating 😮

[@clwest3538]

When I was a kid in the early 60s, I loved rhymes and nursery stories. My parents had a complete selection of older books with them and I spent hours memorizing them (my poem for 3rd grade was The Owl and the Pussy Cat) ... later in life my mom suggested to me that most short rhymes were 'coded' messages - easy to remember, impossible to understand unless you were 'in the know' mostly about politics and 'royal families' - legitimacy of children, etc. ... I have no idea where she got that idea but she, like me, was a voracious reader - so probably in one of her books.

[@marcduhamel-guitar1985]

The Cromwell explanation seems to make the most sense to me- a rhythmic taunt.

[@Dav1Gv]

Only just come across this channel. Thanks for a fascinating and well produced video. Personally I'd go with the Richard Cromwell theory,

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching :) 🖤

[@petercaulf]

It's got to be the Cromwell explanation; to me it really resonates. I recently discovered your channel and as a lover of history's backstories I love your content. Thank you. How about a live stream so we can discuss these kinds of topics with you.

[@raclark2730]

I just like that the cats were officially on the books and allocated a wage.

[@SDC-s4e]

Yes, but what did they spend their wages on?

[@raclark2730]

@@SDC-s4e Catnip. 😽

[@superomegaprimemk2]

​@user-yy5bk4eu8q Likely it was for their upkeep, grooming, a bed, and some food, I expect when the amount increased it was likely so that the older cat to teach the younger cat the tricks of the trade as the older cats become less active they are until a kitten enters their life to help rejuvenate them a bit, after all cats are fickle creatures that do what they want most of the time!!

[@noreenclark2568]

Most enjoyable, I was just thinking about Hickory Hickory Dock as a rhyme and wondered if there was a back story to it and hey presto there is. Thank you for letting us know about it. 😊

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Glad you enjoyed it! :) 🖤

[@lindarichards2218]

Very interesting. I'm going with the mice in the clock theory. I have to go see the oldest cat flap one day ( cat lover) but realistically it's probably about Richard Cromwell. Thanks for another great video. Hope your having a good start to the new year. 😁

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much, hope you've had a wonderful New Year too :) 🖤

[@reactiontoeffectiveenemyfire]

I absolutely love English history ❤

[@maxst6647]

It includes all three meanings, all at once. Like any piece of good writing, it need not confine itself to a single source of inspiration; one can read it on many levels, simultaneously, and I reckon this was the authors' (plural) intent. People in those days were far more subtle than we usually give them credit for, and this rhyme is no exception.

[@peterfrance702]

Not only that, an author might draw on common memes or phrases of the time - play on them - to add power and resonance to their writing. So it was with this piece, drawing on a counting system no doubt installed in many young minds of the time.

[@johnthomas189]

Well, you've done it again. Or should I write: You've done it well, again. Very well done, and thank you. Your insights into nursery (?) folklore are totally absorbing .

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@paulchambers3142]

I'd like to vote for the Cromwell story....it certainly falls into place. Where does your accent come from? I know England but a little more precise would be great.....i really like your pronunciation! Great stories....very interesting and thoughtful 👏

[@tashuntka]

Yes-yes.....where's that accent from ? 🫶💖🫶

[@leighfoulkes7297]

Obviously, her accent is from deep within Scottland.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much 🖤 I'm from York :)

[@The-Resurrectionists]

@leighfoulkes7297 😂 I do love the Scottish accent though!

[@viennapalace]

@@The-Resurrectionists So one could walk around in York & hear ladies speaking with that accent?! That's it... I'm moving to York!

[@dr.s.p.]

Hickere, Dickere Dock The mice ran up the clock.
The clock “struck” one! The rest got away with minor injuries. Oh, Hickere, Dickere Dock

[@LoneYukon]

WHOA! Dice it up some more, will ya!

[@deewesthill1213]

🐀 🐀 🐀 🐀 🐀 🐀 ⏰ 😼😆

[@Louis-kk3to]

That's my favorite version of this rime 😂👍

[@daithimacansaor5454]

And i had unwittingly assumed i was the first to write the lines 5 years ago, that is, mice plural and the final as"the other one escaped with light injuries" ,

[@Tekoa80]

I remember my mum adding that line years ago, when I was little 😂 She also used to say... Hey diddle diddle, The cat did a tiddle All over the living room floor. The little dog laughed To see so much fun, So the cat did a little bit more! 😂

[@justincasey5975]

Absolutely fascinating and I adore your English accent, carry on my friend, all the very best from Manchester UK.

[@brendanjohnston-z7d]

You have the propensity of reminding me of the bits which are missing from the textual! Thank you, Resurrectionists.

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Time flew looking at these handy inventions. Though I wasn't geared up to watch such, with so minute a detail.

[@jcristi321]

Makes sense to me. I hadn’t wondered about that rhyme yet. It seems so matter of fact. I love that counting method of the shepherds. I need a system like that. I dyed and then had to rewind a ball of crochet thread. A rhyme, plus a rock in my pocket would have been more efficient. 😉 Jan

[@stephenphillip5656]

My mother loved history & we both knew that nursery rhymes usually have a hidden meaning. In her later years when her eyesight was failing, I would collect some of these & read them to her, engendering a discussion as to their origins. Hickery Dickery Dock was one such & the cathedral clock was much mentioned, but we never made a connection to Richard Cromwell so although my mother is no longer with us, she'd have loved to have this read to her. She had a wonderfully mischievous sense of humour right to the end as well and had a different version of Jack & Jill. I smile when I recall her telling it to me...🤭 I in turn have alternative versions of some nursery rhymes, but they're perhaps not for a polite and respectable forum such as this...😉

[@colindeer9657]

Yes, I love being a Darkling too, I must admit. Been a while? You sound well. 😊 I am so pleased. I think Hickory Dickory is about your Mr. Cromwell . Mocking him and his departure. Thanks so much for another wonderful presentation. Loved it. Keep well and dry!

[@ashleymckeever4752]

I love that you’re doing a nursery rhyme series. The one that has struck me as odd since watching your videos is Higgledy piggledy my black hen. Is there a chance you could do one for it in the future?? Thanks and I’m looking forward to what you add to there series next.

[@TheSilmarillian]

Generationally transmitted memories may not be old folklore i my humble opinion , so many of there rhymes have a deeper meaning than on the surface many think they see, Great upload indeed hello from Australia.

[@mikebreaton7910]

It's entirely possible that it's a combination of all three origins -- things like nursery rhymes, folktales, and myths seldom have only one simple explanation. This was a fun video.

[@chrispetersen4863]

I always heard it as "and down he run" rather than "the mouse ran down" though I have seen it as the latter in old text when looking at it in later days. I always suspected it had something to do with Cromwell and the English Civil War, interesting to hear the potential links.

[@ruthd7274]

Considering that these rhymes link to an oral tradition and a time when information had to be committed easily to memory, your version is just as valid as the documented one.

[@Ascent-jz7fz]

Great video

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much :) 🖤

[@jackbarnes8037]

I'd always been told that Hickory Dickory Dock and Eeny Meeny Miney Mo goes way back to ancient times, And was a type of counting used in divination to select sacrificial offerings

[@RedheadLondon]

Eeny Meeny was from slavery, I heard. Grab a N..... by the toe. Not PC these days.

[@morefiction3264]

I had heard 'hickory dickory dock' may be an ancient memory of a dozenal counting system meaning: 10, 11 and 12. This would make sense for an ancient rhyme counting hours up to 12.

[@KabobHope]

That seems likely. If hickory is 10, dickory 11, and dock 12 the striking of one would cause everything to start over. The word "dock" resembles "dozen" so I can see this being plausible.

[@RedheadLondon]

Where does the mouse come into it?

[@morefiction3264]

@@RedheadLondon What else is small enough to run up a clock?

[@RedheadLondon]

@@morefiction3264 Spiders?

[@morefiction3264]

@@RedheadLondon Doesn't scan.

[@Christmascancelled]

3 rd. this women has a marvellous English voice. I bet she can sing well also.

[@OldSchool1947]

Beautiful, historical images.

[@memorylayne78]

I believe the #3 is probably the inspiration for this rhyme, as it seems political commentary was the base for so many other nursery rhymes. I do love the information about the cathedral clock. I had not heard about it before.

[@amalek2750]

I am still most haunted by "Rock A Bye Baby". Any possibility of exploring that one. Please and thank you.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

It's coming soon I promise! :)

[@amalek2750]

@@The-Resurrectionists Yay! Thank you!💖

[@jennywallis65]

Fascinating, always loved unusual historic facts + the macabre, great stories.

[@susanbutler2542]

Good morning from Snowy Northern, Nevada. I hope you have a wonderful day.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you! :) I hope you're having a wonderful day too! 🖤

[@susanbutler2542]

@@The-Resurrectionists 💚💜💙🩵

[@chrisdorrell1]

This channel is the VERY best on YT I looked for an X (twitter) feed so I could follow and encourage others to watch but alas ? I adore the brilliance. Its the adult Horrible Histories that btw is a MASSIVE compliment. Such a fantastic voice too. Late night TV show needed for this young lady are you listening tv producers?

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you! That's a huge compliment; I still enjoy watching Horrible Histories! :) And I would absolutely love a TV show, if any producers are watching! 🖤

[@ringo1692]

I just found this channel and its definatly a great find, thanks for all your hard work hunting down the origins of these rhymes! I do have to ask yall am i the only one thats hearing The Diceman saying his version of them at first? Lmfao ✌️😜👍🤣😂😂

[@Krullmatic]

This is one of my favorite rhymes!

[@costrio]

I think the Richard Cromwell idea makes the most sense.I think that speaking aloud about political ideas back then could become dangerous if overheard. Rhymes were easy to remember and sing when in one's cups, with less fear of retribution, perhaps?

[@5-minute-witness356]

This rhyme would not have been dangerous, as it mocked the one who fell from power, not the one who was in power and would have appreciated a good dig at Richard Cromwell when the rhyme was presumably composed.

[@futatorius]

Another small piece of evidence is that Hick was a nickname for Richard at that time. And "dock" can mean "to cut short."

[@patricedesvarieux2856]

Happy New Year, The Resurrectionists! This was a great video. I didn’t know anything about the origins of (or that there were any origins) of Hickory Dickory Dock. I should know better now. I truly found everything fascinating and I really can’t choose which one resonated with me. Thank you again.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Happy new year! :) Hope you're keeping well. You're very welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@Dr_Coe]

Yet another exceptional video. I love this. Please continue.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@gwendolynlathe5415]

Thank you for sharing the most interesting. History of the rhymes stories.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@InimicalWit]

8:19 I think it’s probably a mix of some of the things you mentioned, as well as some others we just can’t know anymore. I come to this, actually, by your final theory, about the political satire. So being, it could easily have drawn on various cultural influences to create a rhyme that resonated well; in which case, all the cultural resonance would be the reason it was popular beyond its context (which only need be a few years, at most) -only to prove that without its context, it’s still a good and worthy rhyme Interesting video. Thanks for making this 💙

[@alfeersum]

"... the ink on history's pages were freshly stained with the blood of a civil war." Love it!

[@WelderBarbie100]

Right?! I came here to say this. That line is pure poetry.

[@martinphilip8998]

My sister’s home in Musselburg, Scotland was used by Cromwell when his campaign burned down the rest of the area. His library is now my sister’s kitchen. It’s the only warm room in this huge house. Inveresk House

[@mauricegold9377]

Musselburgh I think you meant.

[@martinphilip8998]

@@mauricegold9377 Yes. I’d have done much worse if her home were in Wales. Broken alphabet there 😂.

[@christait2549]

Very interesting and really well presented! 😄

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much :) 🖤

[@zebra3519]

What a lovely magical channel. Just popped up. Nice.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much :) 🖤

[@zebra3519]

@@The-Resurrectionists You have a lovely voice to match. Love to see a piece on Rumpelstiltskin. Thanks.

[@garryperrin2408]

That was good, especially the last explanation. I’m going to read up.

[@ikarus_incarnate]

As always, fascinating ! Residing as I do, obviously I am going to go with the Exeter cathedral... Cant wait for the next one

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Glad you enjoyed it! :) 🖤

[@martineldritch]

"Tumbledown Dick" is the name of a mountain in New Hampshire popular with rock climbers. I climbed it once. Nice to know where the name comes from !

[@marklmansfield]

Richard = Dick ?

[@The-Resurrectionists]

@marklmansfield Yes exactly, 'Dick' is a nickname for 'Richard'

[@popshaines5492]

Tumble Down Dick is the name given by locals to the road running between the villages of Cumnor and Farmoor near Oxford.

[@TheFirstManticore]

The best possibility is that all three have some relevance to the rhyme, which would increase its resonance in the population. Hickory Dick, of course, is the most exciting one.

[@franceshorton918]

Things change ove time. My thoughts are that the rhyme began as a shepherd's counting technique from ancient times when the Brythonic regional language was used, or well remembered. Then, in Exeter Cathedral, there definitely was a rodent problem, and a witty gloss was put onto an old Shepherd's rhyme. Then later on still, the English Civil War, the Regicide of Charles 1st, the brief Republic, and the even more brief story of Richard Cromwell. Another gloss on the already old original rhyme. All three usages are probably valid. Myself, I prefer *1 and *2 as more likely to be original. Thanks for excellent research! ❤ 🖤

[@The-Resurrectionists]

You're very welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@viennapalace]

I always imagined this nursery rhyme was some how related to the plague years but your explanations make much more sense, as usual. Number one does seem the most plausible until you take into account human nature, which immediately promotes the third theory to the "most likely" position. Thanks for another wonderfully thought provoking video!

[@The-Resurrectionists]

You're very welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@viennapalace]

@@The-Resurrectionists And I love how you always use the "black heart" when answering comments from your darklings. Deliciously appropriate! 🖤

[@The-Resurrectionists]

🖤🖤🖤

[@ChunksPlace]

Yayyyy you're back! Another awesome video, loved it

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much :) 🖤

[@colmanpm]

Fascinating food for thought. Thank you.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

You're welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :) 🖤

[@colmanpm]

@@The-Resurrectionists I did Darkling. 💜

[@neilengel3715]

Fascinating!!!! Love your voice too!

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much! :) 🖤

[@jeffreyoneill6439]

Wonderful. So thrilled to meet you.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed :)

[@malone1todd]

In a suburb of New Orleans, there are streets called, Hickory, the next called Dickory and the next is called Dock

[@The-Resurrectionists]

oh wow! Love that! :) 🖤

[@stephenconnolly1830]

Wonderful tale which rings true (about Richard Cromwell). Now do some due diligence on the nursery rhyme "Three blind mice." That's also an eye opener.

[@Templeborough]

I think the Tumbledown Dick Cromwell explanation carries most weight with me. Still one or two pubs of that name, at least until recently when the whole country started to tumble down!

[@GuineaPig361]

I grew up with a different version of it; "Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock. The man in brown soon brought him down, hickory dickory dock."

[@marklmansfield]

That may suggest the Richard version .

[@sdnlawrence5640]

That was very interesting. Thank you

[@debbralehrman5957]

I like the first story. As a bit of history. But do think it was the last one. Thanks 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@dereksollows9783]

My mother used this one: "trot ye off to Boston, trot ye off to Lynn. Look out little child, or you might fall in" It was recited while a child was bounced on the adults knee and holding the adults thumbs as reins. The knee was lowered as the words "fall in" were emphasized. Her family were among the early English colonists of the Americas and it seems to have survived down to my generation across all of the descendants. It is repeated a lot less often these days due to smaller families and is probably in danger of disappearing. We always assumed that the bridge between Boston and Lynn must have been dangerous.

[@michellemccarthytager9457]

Definitely Cromwell! Wow interesting!

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you so much :) 🖤

[@rmkenney]

Ha! Considering the dissension between commenters about which source is correct, this makes it easy to understand why historians are split as well.

[@ringo688]

Maybe its a combination of all three, adapting with time with the last version being the final draught?

[@kennyshortcake999]

Excellent 🎉 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Well done .. Jake Thackeray sung about that Yorkshire sheep counting style 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Yes, I love listening to him sing 'Molly Metcalfe' 🖤 I've linked it in my video description, but just in case anyone else is interested, here is a video of Jake Thackray talking about 'Yan Tan Tethera' : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipq7eoGrm5qhmKs I'm so happy you enjoyed the video :)

[@krs4976]

The 3rd theory sounds the most plausible to me. Especially considering how many pubs there were named tumbledown dick so it definitely has a point of widespread mockery. Ive always liked the story behind humpty dumpty. The tale of a legendary cannon. How it became a egg is beyond me 🤷 Or jack and jill which is about the fall of mankind from Christ conciousness

[@TheSteveBoyd]

"Humpty Dumpty" is about a cannon, so the story of Richard Cromwell seems the most plausible to me (like I know anything!). Could "ran up the clock" be a variant of the euphemism, "ran out the clock", as in "ran out of time"?

[@robch4414]

I can't remember which radio comedy programme it was, but one of the immortal lines was: (character explaining problem to tree surgeon) "my hickory's a bit dickery, doc". Writer maybe Denis Norden, Barry Cryer?

[@scfrhc9131]

Probably all three explanations provide a source of substance for the rhythm in different ways…as you have suggested

[@zevfarkas5120]

Thanks for an enlightening view of the darker parts of childhood. ;)

[@barbaramoran8690]

How did Shepards stay awake when they counted their (yawn) sheep

[@dirremoire]

😂

[@aJarrowLad525]

Thanking you

[@marcbelisle5685]

I like to think that part of the fun of these was that they had multiple interpretations, and that they were referencing old and new things. They weren’t meant to be picked apart and interrogated but to be appreciated on multiple levels.

[@kickpublishing]

I believe nursery rhymes are a capsule for encoding profound information in a highly memorable story that appeals to the simplest of us, even children.

[@slybri5751]

I go with Cromwell ❤️🌏⭐💚 AWESOME.loved that. 🙉🙈🙊

[@reverbscherzo7850]

I'm of the mind that both are true. It wouldn't be the first time that an existing song or poem was reworded slightly to become a satirical song or poem about something else.

[@gordonbrandt9739]

No known version prior to the one printed in 1744 gives the Cromwell theory the most likely explanation..

[@qzorn4440]

The mouse had a relative in America called Mickey and lived in Hollywood. 🐭 Great explanation, thank you.

[@kentjensen4939]

I like the spoof, where three mice run up, the clock strikes one and the other two escape with minor injuries.

[@terrystevens5261]

And there was me thinking it was based on that well known exercising rhyme "i must i must improve my bust".

[@SearchIndex]

My mother was a farmer’s daughter from County Mayo Ireland and always did her math in Gaelic out loud like the old counting method mentioned in this video

[@garypautard1069]

Thank you for keeping the Civil War aspect historically accurate. I did know some rhymes had a truth hidden ,such as Ring a Ring of Roses which was tied to the Black Death.

[@watchingthewheelsgoround260]

I like the counting idea

[@hurnethehunter]

The clock struck one...Why one, why not two or three or four. Could it be the time of an execution? and in the old version it say the mouse fell down. Could it reference the gallows or axe?

[@scottw.3258]

There were versions where the number the clock struck were non sequential. For instance, verse one could be... "the clock struck 10, the mouse ran down"... Some versions a mouse isn't even mentioned, it may say "the clock struck 10, and down he ran", or "he ran down".

[@5-minute-witness356]

I think the same.

[@The-Resurrectionists]

Thank you for sharing your insights; I definitely see how that would fit the rhyme perfectly!

[@juliejohnson3835]

I was always weirded out by ring around the rosies, a nursery rhyme about the black death.