Ring around a rosie

Ring around the rosey is a children's song and game that seems to reference the Black Death that decimated the European population during the 14th century. It first appeared in print in 1881.

The song: Ring around the rosey Pocket full of posey Ashes, ashes, we all fall down

In the "plague" interpretation, the first line, refers to the round, red rash that would break out on the skin of plague victims. The second line's "pocket full of posey" would have been a pocket in the garment of a victim filled with something fragrant, such as flowers, that would conceal the smell from the sores. A second possible explanation for this line is that it referred to the scientific thought of the time that fresh-smelling flowers would purify the air around them. Bodies of victims were burned upon death, hence the last line: "ashes, ashes, we all fall down". An alternate ending to the song exists: "achoo, achoo, we all fall down." It is unclear whether this ending, with its obvious reference to sickness, is original or modified from the "ashes".

A 14th century origin is claimed for the song, but this is possible only if it were recited for centuries without being written down. It is doubtful that the song originated during the plague, and its connection to the disease is tenuous. The first time it was suggested to be plague related seems to be 1961. Its origin seems in actuality to be as a dancing game.

Children stand in a circle holding hands and skipping in one direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, as they sing the song. At the end of the last line, the group falls down into a heap.

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