The Nursery Rhyme Book

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26197

Title

The Nursery Rhyme Book

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Andrew Lang's "The Nursery Rhyme Book" offers a whimsical journey through classic rhymes, riddles, and charms. With historical context and playful illustrations, it invites readers to explore the origins of beloved nursery songs, blending folklore, history, and imagination in a timeless collection.

Summary up to 500 words

Edited by Andrew Lang, *The Nursery Rhyme Book* offers a rich tapestry of traditional verses, blending historical fact with folklore and imaginative interpretation. The volume begins with a preface that reflects on the enduring appeal of old rhymes, evoking childhood memories of tattered picture-books and the joy of learning to read through familiar words. Lang notes that while the original poets remain unknown, many rhymes were written down or printed as early as three hundred years ago, passed down through generations of grandmothers singing to grandchildren. The collection is divided into distinct sections covering historical references, literal and scholastic rhymes, tales, proverbs, songs, riddles, charms, games, and lullabies. Lang provides extensive historical context for figures mentioned in the verses, such as King Arthur, King Charles, and Dr. Faustus. He weaves fact with fiction to reveal deeper stories, clarifying that "Simple Simon" was not a historical figure like Simon Fraser and explaining the Jacobite origins of songs like "Over the hills and far away." The book also addresses the tragic history behind "The Babes in the Wood," attributing their fate to a wicked uncle rather than nature. Beyond history, the book explores the magical and cultural history embedded in charms and lullabies, which were once used for butter-making or curing diseases. Games and riddles engage the reader's mind, while nonsense songs provide entertainment for babies. Lang debunks myths and offers alternative interpretations throughout, such as correcting the notion that Dr. Faustus was a "good man" in the poem, revealing him instead as a wizard who made a pact with the devil. The volume concludes with an index of first lines, allowing easy navigation through this vast array of rhymes. With its blend of humor, history, and folklore, the book stands as a delightful exploration of the world's oldest and most cherished children's literature, preserving smooth stones from the brook of time worn round by constant friction of tongues.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26197.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26197.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-03 20:20 UTC

Categories

• Nursery Rhymes