Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up got Jack, and home did trot
As fast as he could caper
He went to bed and bound his head
With vinegar and brown paper.
Notes
Jack and Jill story - The French (history) connection!
The roots of the story, or poem, of Jack and Jill are in France. Jack and Jill referred to are said to be King Louis XVI - Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Jill - (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics to the Jack and Jill poem were made more acceptable as a story for children by providing a happy ending! The actual beheadings occurred in during the Reign of Terror in 1793. The first publication date for the lyrics of Jack and Jill rhyme is 1795 - which ties-in with the history and origins.
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Comments
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The explanation above is based on the assumption that 'crown' has its modern meaning. Back in 1795 'broke his crown' meant 'injured the crown of his head (= the top of his head'). Iona and Peter Opie, editors of The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, do not mention this theory, but they do give the first publication date as 1765.
It is also unlikely that 'Ring o Roses' has anything to do with the Black Death - see comments on that rhyme. -
As children this would not be connected to an event in history, it's 'just' a nursery rhyme after all. However as an adult and an explanation such as the one above is offered it does make sense. It's not the only childrens rhyme to stem from violence in history. Ring of Roses is another.
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