The Only True Mother Goose Melodies / Without Addition or Abridgement

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28687

Title

The Only True Mother Goose Melodies / Without Addition or Abridgement

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection presents the authentic "Mother Goose" nursery rhymes without addition or abridgement, accompanied by a fascinating historical account of the Goose family and their connection to Boston printer Thomas Fleet. Featuring classic verses and whimsical illustrations, this volume offers a timeless blend of traditional folklore and literary history.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'The Only True Mother Goose Melodies / Without Addition or Abridgement,' an anonymous author presents a spirited defense of traditional nursery rhymes against critics who favor more scholarly literature. The narrative begins with a grandmotherly figure, Mother Goose herself, who asserts the enduring value of her songs as a soothing anodyne for children, dismissing attempts to replace them with 'learned books.' The text then shifts to a historical inquiry, revealing that Mother Goose was not merely a myth but a real person from Boston, a descendant of an English family that settled in the city around 1656. The story details the marriage in 1715 of printer Thomas Fleet to Elizabeth Goose. Initially annoyed by his mother-in-law's constant singing, Fleet eventually collected her songs and published them as 'Mother Goose's Melodies' in 1719, adopting the title in derision of his good-natured but persistent mother-in-law. The collection presents a vast array of traditional verses, ranging from simple counting rhymes to complex narrative songs. Themes span daily chores, animal antics, moral lessons, and playful nonsense, including classics like 'Little Boy Blue,' 'Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,' and 'London Bridge.' The text is interspersed with descriptions of illustrations depicting children, animals, and domestic scenes, enhancing the visual storytelling. By juxtaposing the simple melodies of Mother Goose with the voluminous works of the learned Cotton Mather—who officiated at the Fleet-Goose wedding—the work highlights the profound impact of these simple rhymes on generations of readers, suggesting they have done more good to the world than many serious tomes combined.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Nursery Rhymes