The Often Gruesome Stories Behind Popular Nursery Rhymes

[@WellINever]

Thank you for watching, and thank you to today's sponsors Match Masters. Join me by downloading Match Masters by clicking here: matchmaste.rs/hCkF/rqc4a2xy #matchmasters #ad

[@dgonthehill]

ty

[@karinac.3378]

Interesting story😮

[@lauraburdett8932]

This was a fun one. Have you ever heard "peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in a pot, nine days old". Just think about the origin of that one.

[@MontanaHarvestor]

Thanks for uploading

[@danidavis7912]

@@lauraburdett8932 "Some like it hot, some like it cold. Some like it from the pot, nine days old!" My grandmother taught me that almost 60 years ago. I too, would be fascinated to hear the origin story for that one.

[@chancyleclown3887]

I could listen to you narrate just about anything and still be enthralled. You're quite the orator

[@CocoWantsACracker]

Haha, I was going to comment in the same vein. I am so glad Paul decided to use his voice and narration style for public videos, so everyone gets to enjoy it!

[@lindachapman5630]

He’s a smooth operator! 🎩 ✌️

[@Mjm9778IsANonce]

Creep. Bet he cringes reading this

[@chancyleclown3887]

@@Mjm9778IsANonce lmao that's your problem

[@lindachapman5630]

@@mm-er6bo did not know this but it does make perfect sense 👍

[@sneakypenguin2861]

The Pop goes the Weasle connotations rings so true to me. My grandad who was born and brought up in Mile End would often tell me stories about how his mum used to pawn his Sunday suit on a monday, use the money for the week's bills, then on Saturday would pay and get the suit back for my grandad to wear for church the next day. He lived in abject poverty until he was a young man, and always was very frugal with his money, but I learned so much about the value of money and taking what you have rather than what you wish you had as being important.

[@karenhendrickson1424]

You were blessed with truth.

[@Libertaro-i2u]

Indeed, during the early industrial revolution, factory workers were often so poor that several families would live in a one or two room apartment and they would often be forced to pawn their meager belongings to pay for a single meal that the members of the family each got only one or two bites of, and most days they didn't eat at all!

[@sneakypenguin2861]

@@Libertaro-i2u i mean my grandparents were decades after the industrial revolution, in the 1930s, my nan was one of 7 children who shared a room! Its only really after the war when pre-fabs were created and flats built that people were finally out of the slums of the east end, mad that it was so recent

[@Woodsheather37]

AND he can carry a tune..it's official Paul...you are indeed the whole package❤

[@donnahensel7211]

Don't forget the snappy dresser!

[@aoifeprice912]

He does actually sing in a band called Red Dog City, incase you didn't know and want to check it out

[@aldousorwell3807]

Get a room you two...🙄

[@Woodsheather37]

​@@aoifeprice912 Really? Thanks for the good info!

[@danidavis7912]

@@Woodsheather37 Yes, it is worthy of checking out!

[@katrinareitzel96]

I love hearing the dark history of things we today now use as fun like songs or sayings. This was a great video, I really loved how I though Ring around the rosies was being sung strangely until you mentioned it's sung differently between the UK and the States. Thanks Pop pop Brodey!

[@Ms.HarmonyJ]

Paul, you and your squad are absolute magicians, conjuring up videos that never fail to amaze me. I'm constantly left in awe, thinking "Well, I never!" Your work is simply sensational, my friends.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

I remember the first time I really thought about the words to “Rock A Bye Baby.” It’s a good thing the babies we sing it to don’t understand it.😉

[@waitwhat1029]

My mom used to sing me You Are My Sunshine. Didn't hit me until I was older how dark that song actually is.

[@riveramnell143]

@@waitwhat1029 My mom sang it to me too. She still calls me her sunshine. Now I sing it to my dog when she’s anxious but I change the words lol.

[@gohawks3571]

Lol, I remember thinking as a kid, "Whaaaat? This makes no sense😂"

[@chocomelo454]

​@@waitwhat1029que? What's up with You Are My Sunshine?

[@fionnaandcakecosplay]

@@waitwhat1029DUDE THAT SONG MADE ME CRY AS A BABY

[@DawnOldham]

I love that you have taverns still in existence from 200+ years ago. Here in America, a shopping plaza can have an entirely different set of shops over a 20-30 year time period!

[@paulbateman5769]

The oldest pub in England dates back to 947 AD... I have been to one in St. Ives in Cornwall called The Sloop. Which dates circa 1312 ..

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

If they are lucky 🍀

[@mrgraham5521]

20-30 years is ancient for us here in the states. It's sad, isn't it?

[@pimpozza]

I always find this subject so fascinating! I also loved the community post photograph, Paul.. the shiny brogues of a dapper gentleman! 😀👍

[@brianoneil9662]

Dark and grim doesn't sound half as bad coming from Paul. Wonderful video goid sir!

[@teresayates8274]

I'm near 60yrs old and sang many of these as a child. I'm from upstate NY and we sang: "Ring-around the rosie a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down". Yours is more accurate and its interesting to hear the meaning behind it. I've learned the meaning behind alot of nursery rhythms and they are grim, but they are our history. Thank you for sharing your insights they are very interesting!

[@SapiophileGoddess]

I am originally from California. We sang it the same way as you.

[@LindaB651]

Yes, I'm in my 60's in Rhode Island, and that's the way I learned it.

[@shannonshorts-johnson306]

Paul, you are indeed an eloquent speaker, and I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you for always presenting interesting and informative content! ❤

[@NannupTiger]

I had a book of the original Brothers Grimm 'fairy tales' and indeed, they were grim.

[@lakeireland]

I have several copies of those books. I prefer them to the Disney-washed version.

[@annegiorgio5602]

And violent

[@NannupTiger]

@@lakeireland Me, too 😇😄

[@CelestialKitsune13]

I have one of those! I couldn't resist buying it and A Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales. It's actually kind of hilarious that I've got a bunch of myth/folk/fairy tail books from a bunch of different cultures in my bookshelves. The thing is they're the original stories, so I'm not going to be volunteering to be reading any of those to my niece's and nephew. I'd rather not be responsible for making them cry. 😅

[@VixGB]

The happy heritage of learning poems, rhymes and songs that your great great grandparents did should always be embraced ❤ Thank you Paul for a look at the oft macabre origins of these rhymes🙏🏻❤️🇬🇧 😊

[@LostK05]

I love learning about the history of English nursery rhymes. Although I live in Italy and the only Italian nursery rhyme I remember is: "La bella lavanderina che lava i fazzoletti Per i poveretti della città Fai un salto, fanne un altro Fai la giravolta, falla un'altra volta Guarda in su, guarda in giù Dai un bacio a chi vuoi tu!" (x3) Never bothered to search about its oringin though, but I think I will after finishing this video!

[@Cynchronicity7]

Also, Humpty Dumpty is actually a huge-ass canon. And a rhyme about oranges and lemons actually refers to the deaths of Henry VIII’s wives.

[@georgebrown8312]

Wow, I never thought that many of the nursery rhymes I learned as a young child had dark origins. Thank you for this eye-opening video.

[@Renee2day598]

I found myself singing along with you with every nursery rhyme we learned & sang in nursery school! I still have the nursery rhymes book from my childhood. Another brilliant video, Mr. Brodie! Cheers!🎉

[@janeguarnera7700]

Nursery rhymes, Fairy Tales (story telling,) Sayings, Songs past down through the ages of humanity, typically from mouth to ear, certainly many prior to access to the ability of reading the written word by the masses...a universal and generational sharing of human wisdoms.

[@user-tv4oc5ox9h]

Well butter my biscuit! He can tell a story, look sharp, and carry a tune! Your videos are always something I look forward to.

[@phaedrapage4217]

The version of Pop Goes the Weasel that I learned as a child was very different: All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel. The monkey laughed to see such a sight. POP! Goes the weasel! This would have been late 1970s-early 1980s Midwest America. And the tune was very popular in our jack-in-the-box toys, a somewhat scary looking clown would pop out when the tune got the the POP! Darn thing made me jump every time, even though I knew exactly when it was coming. Oddly enough, it did NOT make me scared of clowns though!

[@MackenzieNerdyEMT]

Born in the early 1990s in the PNW among many places and learned the same version as you :)

[@Libertaro-i2u]

Yeah, imagine associating that tune with a clownish jumpscare!

[@KidarWolf]

I would love to see you cover more of the origins of nursery rhmyes and cautionary tales, as this was really quite fantastic, Paul!

[@Whole-Milk]

Seriously Paul could single handily cure insomnia by reading us a Brothers Grimm story every week. Imagine tucking in on like a Sunday or Monday night after a busy day, you get cozied up, and listen to Paul reading you a bedtime story till you drift off. Just a cozy story night with Paul to get us sleepy and well rested for the week ahead.

[@KidarWolf]

@@Whole-Milk Oh yes, a bedtime story from Grimms read by Paul would be an absolute delight!

[@bettyfeliciano7322]

Paul you look so dapper in your outfit! I’ve never heard of these nursery rhythms having a real origin! I just thought someone made them up. Thank you so very much for explaining these things in detail. Blessings always! 😊❤️🙏

[@Sydroo1969]

Quite enjoyable episode. I loved many of these nursery rhymes when I was a child. I'm a Gen X and I read them to my children when they were little too. Many rhymes changed versions here in the U.S.

[@aprilkalcsa9336]

I found this Extremely interesting. Thanks Paul 😊

[@scofab]

Fascinating as always, thank you again.

[@kevinmott6205]

Thankyou Paul you never fail to surprise, entertain and inform. Really enjoyed this😊

[@jak3589]

That was very interesting & explains alot. Thank you.

[@merlapittman5034]

Something a bit different and thoroughly enjoyable! Thank you!

[@Lovescoffee-zo2bt]

Love the descriptions of the tales.

[@justme-tj3jt]

This one was amazing. Always wanted to know about all those weird tales that turned into nursery rhymes. Thank you @WellINever

[@tillyg8858]

I enjoyed this narrative about nursery rhymes. It's very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@yellowgut]

Really fun episode! Great channel!!

[@micheledushsne712]

Always awesome way to start my morning. Thank you

[@KappaYokai-er7xp]

A great video as always, Paul and team! Adore em ❤

[@angieinthelou8127]

I just recently found your channel! I just love your smooth steady voice, the funny things you put in, and the stories, although very heartbreaking at times. I'm from the States and my kids are grown, have 10 grandkids and I'll tell you I have NEVER taught my kids or Grandkids Nursery Rymes! This video shows why! Although it's fascinating history! Thank you!

[@emmajulian8716]

Thank you Mr brodie for another fantastic video keep up the wonderful work 😊

[@yourgodismean4526]

This was a cool one! I love it when Paul gives us this obscure history

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Very informative! I admit I thought "Ring Around the Rosie" was about the plague 🤔

[@mjaricacat]

Love your narrations and very interesting stories. I would be thrilled if you found more like this. Oh, and the porkpie hat is adorable. Meow😺

[@nickgov66]

"Pop goes the weasel" was entertainingly explained in a song by the great Anthony Newley. 6:17

[@jpendowski7503]

Well I Never, thought much about the childhood rhymes. Thank you both for your excellent presentation and your dapper summer wardrobe. Cheers from the Midwest USA.

[@shadesofpurple7283]

The first ad on this was fixing to be 10mins longer than this entire video 😱 KZbin has lost its mind I wish I had the spirit to watch that ad for you grandpa because you deserve a fat paycheck

[@Mirror558]

Your style of presentation is exemplary and the incidents you share with people are often not very known. Love your channel.

[@Babydoll3133]

I love the stores behind nursery rhymes. Thank you. I also love all of your videos.

[@stacychipouras8741]

Thank you. This is wonderful 💙

[@thomassecurename3152]

Thank you for teaching.

[@hilarymol6607]

I enjoyed this thoroughly. While, like most folks, I had a bit of an idea about the backstory of some of those nursery rhymes, I never knew how much more there was to them. Absolutely fantastic piece of work, Paul - thank you so much for all the work you must have done to put this together for us. 😁❤👏

[@spikemcc]

No matter how familiar I think I am about the Subject matter, you always tell me something I didn't know.

[@randomunicorn1578]

Another wonderful video, Paul. I could listen to you read the phone book! Love your lilt! ❤

[@captnghosteyes]

I absolutely LOVE your channel Paul! My favourite part is falling asleep to these stories. I knew about these fairy tales through reading The Brothers Grimm! So cool! 🎉❤🎉

[@rachelbradley7780]

I love your channel - can you please make more videos on nursery rhymes please? I would love to know the story behind three blind mice.

[@veronicajade20]

It's amazing that all the nursery rhymes I learned as a little girl have such a storied history. Especially 'Ring Around the Rosie' and 'Pop Goes the Weasel.'

[@cocoaorange1]

So true.

[@TheOnjLouis]

Oddly, one of the more disturbing nursery rhymes I remember from my childhood is pasted below. I do not know where it comes from, only that I heard it on tape and even as a child it bothered me greatly. Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Upstairs and downstairs, in his nightgown; Rapping at the window, crying through the lock, “Are the children in their beds? Now it’s eight o’clock.”

[@kathleenchaffin2591]

Why does it disturb you, again?

[@TheOnjLouis]

@@kathleenchaffin2591Well for one, it’s creepy AF! I mean come on, read the actual words. A weird guy in a dressing gown, peeping through windows… At kids, late at night? No, scratch that. Any time of the day that’s disgusting. Who came up with it? Why? What did it signify? Was it about someone with mental problems in a little village somewhere, and the tale spread and became a song? I’m a parent now, anyone looking at my child in that way is gonna have a bad time. I’m surprised I have to explain this at all honestly.

[@MegCazalet]

I’ve heard of Wee Willie Winkie, but the rest of it I don’t recognize! I’m glad I don’t, especially as a kid, that would’ve spooked me.

[@kathleenchaffin2591]

@@TheOnjLouis I remember my mother saying this one 💜

[@kathleenchaffin2591]

@@TheOnjLouis "the actual words" say absolutely nothing about him being weird. Wee. It seemed like he was a very small man, having been called wee, and having to call through the lock. I figired he could only just reach the window to rap on it. Probably just nonsense, anyhow.

[@LucienSabre]

Thank you for the video. 😀 We don’t really have nursery rhymes in my country (there are popular folk sayings/“mottos” but no actual rhymes and even the sayings are very regionally localized) so learning about them and their origins is fascinating to me.

[@crystalclear6864]

Brilliant. Interesting topic

[@tysmom76]

❤❤❤ best one yet, thank you Mr. Paul

[@angeladormer6659]

What a great episode exploding those long-held myths. It was a really fascinating change to the murders. Thank you so much.

[@joeobyrne3189]

Great episode, really enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@janeyrevanescence12]

I'm early?! Wow! This is my lucky day! Can you do the origins of popular fairy tales? That would make this amateur folklorist very happy.

[@iloveavicci5907]

I’m from Ireland 🇮🇪 😊 We wouldn’t dare step inside a fairy ring when we were young because you’d surely be taken away by the fairies and replaced with a changeling before the end of the day! 😢 😞 There were quite a few fairy rings around at the time 😊

[@NanaBren]

Hello Paul! You’re looking dapper today! I have always been interested in the story behind nursery rhymes. I believed that most were warning adults about dangers. ❤ Thanks for sharing these stories with us. ❤

[@deniseleplatt1616]

That was great. Thank you Paul

[@juliesgw]

Love your videos. I watch several different crime channels, and you’re of the best narrators.

[@Natasha6090]

Paul could read the dictionary and I will listen eagerly

[@Whole-Milk]

I wasn’t expecting Paul to tuck me in with nursery rhymes tonight but goddamn it’s exactly what this 30 year old woman needed right now

[@Rebecca-d7b]

Thank really enjoyed the video 😊

[@STEPHANIEH70]

I wish I still had my Mother Goose nursery rhymes book from my childhood.

[@addie_is_me]

Everyone remember to HIT LIKE😊

[@deletdis6173]

It's always the first thing I do on every new Well, I Never video.

[@adamfisher5380]

I actually sometimes forget SO THANKS 🙏

[@Travel_with_Gigi]

You reminded me! I always forget to hit the like button

[@Renee2day598]

...and to also remember to sub to the channel! Mr. Brodie is a brilliant content creator! Cheers!🎉

[@monilangeKootenays]

Done!

[@merryhineline7781]

Pop Goes the Weasel is very different in the States. Merry, Merry, quite contrary is my favorite rhyme. My mom planted cockle shells when I was a toddler.

[@andysmith819]

A thoroughly entertaining presentation.

[@kebert2thumbsup]

A tissue? I always knew it as "Ring around the rosey. A pocket full of posies. Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down."

[@earballgrooves4928]

I luv the new look u have n this video! I haven't seen it before & u look great my friend!! I thoroughly enjoy ur content & just u. So keep up ur great work my "Well I Never" friend!! U rock!! 💛🖤💛

[@danidavis7912]

Always enjoy your videos! Thank you, sir.

[@FaerieStar]

I love hearing your retelling😊😊!

[@ellenrgiesler]

This was fascinating!

[@dianawatton7570]

Thank you so very much that was exceptionally interesting to me! I look forward to every video you present, They never disappoint!

[@harrietyounger6118]

Even if they all get a bag it's a bad deal for the shepherds. They still had to do 3 X the work for a third. Even worst if they didn't get anything. It's actually very tragic. You have a nice singing voice on a lighter note x

[@carolmanning8367]

Thank you for enlightening us about the nursery rhymes, it made me think "well i never". Looking forward to your next video.

[@harrietyounger6118]

I heard people tie Jack and Gill to the French Revolution and always thought that was a stretch. Your explanation sounds more realistic.

[@g.allencook1051]

That version of "Pop Goes the Weasel" was wonderful...but somewhat maniacal! I love this channel. Well, maybe the content gets a bit heavy--but that's the nature of the content, isn't it. Well done. Many of us in the States are ardent watchers/subscribers.

[@bekkakay8573]

Loved it. The forest scenes too.

[@Ricka-1960]

Informative, interesting and entertaining as ever. 😘

[@Sailrjup12nh]

I want this man to be my grandfather. 😊

[@dawnamay1222]

lol

[@forensicdar]

Love your uploads!❤

[@DVD927]

I don’t understand why you don’t have a million subscribers by now. Clearly, we all need to be more active in sharing your videos.

[@janeyrevanescence12]

I'd like to add another theory behind the parts of "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary" and they have pieces to do with the Catholic faith. Silver Bells might refer to a bell that is rung during Mass to draw attention to the Transubstantiation of the Host (when Catholics believe the Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Christ). Cockle Shells (a type of seashell) might refer to the scallop shell, which is an emblem of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela (one of the three holy sites Catholics are most encouraged to make a pilgrimage to, the other two being Jerusalem and Rome). Santiago de Compostela is a city in Spain, where Mary the I's husband was King. And Pretty Maids all in a Row may refer to nuns.

[@MsSteelphoenix]

This was the theory I came across, it makes sense.

[@mamasinger49]

So interesting, thank you so much.

[@MegCazalet]

I have always heard “Georgie Porgie” was about George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.

[@Chipoo88]

Thank you. Mary I didn’t just immediately dispose of Jane grey and her father because they usurped the throne. It took several months for her to execute Jane, only after Jane’s father raised another rebellion against the queen. She had wanted to spare her

[@auntheidi9389]

And, didn't Philip of Spain refuse to marry Mary unless she executed Jane Grey & Robert? (I know that name is not right) Dudley.

[@Chipoo88]

@@auntheidi9389 no. Where did that come from?

[@Hobotraveler82]

Learn something new today. Thanks. 😊

[@crystalclear6864]

Btw. The hat is good👍

[@kstormgeistgem461]

no matter the subject, we can always count on a dapper narrator when we come here to watch and listen.👀❤

[@jimwoods3742]

Humpty Dumpty was actually a cannon sitting on top of the castle wall until I got blasted and all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty back together again

[@lilly9469]

Such a good one, this one. Thank you very much!

[@MrsKrisXMcCarty]

Great episode!!❤

[@userunknownx]

There is a second verse to "Pop goes the Weasel " here in the States that most don't know. It goes, " A penny for a spool of thread, a penny for a needle that's the way the money goes. Pop goes the weasel." Once again tying it to the textile trade. I understand this is also the fourth verse in the UK. Odd that this is the one verse that stayed the most pure in it's trip across the pond. I also want to see Kevin Bacon dancing "Ring around the Roses."

[@kerim.peardon5551]

I was thinking of that verse. It's mentioned in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, so it dates back to at least the late 19th century. But it seems like one of those songs that has an infinite number of verses.

[@ktznchz]

You have a lovely singing voice!

[@materakoczi2519]

In kindergarten we were taught a children's song/rhyme that was about a young girl being tortured and then killed by the turks. It originates from the 16th century when the Ottoman Empire conquered much of Hungary.

[@carpathiangirl8460]

What is it called in Hungarian? 5:33 I am so annoyed that my Hungarian father never taught me any Hungarian whatsoever. I find children's rhymes and songs give you the rhythm of the language.

[@MackenzieNerdyEMT]

​@@carpathiangirl8460I understand that annoyance. My mom immigrated to the US from Croatia and i dont know anything, though she barely spoke english, she never spoke with me

[@sharrisparis]

I've been listening to Mr Top 5s voice for over 5 years. It's my nightly routine to listen while I go to sleep. I line up marathon videos from this channel and murderous minds, and there's plenty to choose from. 😊 Mr Top 5s voice is very calming . I'm sure, with as many channels as you have, you are a busy man! Wishing you peace and happiness! I'm looking forward to October! The new narrator is great!👍✌️

[@dawnamay1222]

"All the way 'round the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel. The monkey thought it was all in fun - pop goes the weasel!" (Canadian version)