Ring a Ring o' Roses

Just for fun I did a little research on the nursery rhyme Ring a Ring o' Roses. There are literally a dozen versions to this song, from around the world. It seems as though it has spread, a lot like fairy tales such as Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. However, it is sung to the same tune in most places. It is also believed that today it is sung to the same tune as when it originated, probably in 1790. Around the world the song is also associated with the plagues of Europe, particularly Britain, in the late 1600's. The Opies have given reason to believe that it could possibly be related to the Great Plague, stating, "The invariable sneezing and falling down in modern English versions have given would-be origin finders the opportunity to say that the rhyme dates back to the Great Plague. A rosy rash, they allege, was a symptom of the plague, poises of herbs were carried as protection,sneezing was a final symptom, and “all fall down” was exactly what happened."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_a_Ring_o'_Roses