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Kids Songs are screwed up

November 10, 2008 -

Reading nursery rhymes to Lia, I've recently come to realize how truly screwed up some of them are. And I'm not just talking about Little Miss Muffet's arachnophobia or Old Mother Hubbard's poor starving dog. I'm talking about Jack and Jill, where Jack got some serious cranial damage, the farmer's wife cutting off mouse tails with a carving knife, and Humpty Dumpty who was killed in a horrific fall.

Consider these nursery Rhymes.

My Grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf
So it stood ninety years on the floor
It was taller by half than the old man himself
Yet it weighed not a pennyweight more

It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born
It was always his treasure and pride
But it stopped, short, never to chime again
When the old man died
Go tell Aunt Rhodie
Go tell Aunt Rhodie
Go tell Aunt Rhodie the old grey goose is dead

The one she's been saving
The one she's been saving
The one she's been saving to make a feather bed
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so many children she didn't know what to do
She gave them all broth without any bread
Then whipped them al soundly and put them to bed

Yep. Pretty dark stuff. And I've saved the worst for last. Rockabye baby. That song is downright criminal. Who the hell would ever put an infant's crib up in a tree? And then sing comforting songs about the infant plummeting? That is just wrong.

Comments on Kids Songs are screwed up
 
Comment Mon, November 10 - 7:50 PM by Blogging School
I found you on Twitter and great blog!
 
Comment Tue, November 11 - 7:25 AM by The Dock
Don't forget Jack Be Nimble. Nothing like a kid who self emulates because he is a poor jumping, thrill seeker, with a flame fetish.
 
Comment Tue, November 11 - 5:00 PM by tagger
Takes him thirty-five-plus years to GET IT.

"Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray the lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake;
I pray the lord my soul to take."

Between organized, government sanctioned superstition for profit (aka churches) and parents who think that scaring the shit out of kids keeps them "in line," it's a wonder there aren't more psychotic killers roaming the streets.

On that note, "happy" Veterans' Day.
 
Comment Thu, November 13 - 3:05 PM by Keith
It has taken you this long to figure out the DARK TALES for children exist...Brothers Grimm should have been the first clue. Since it was one of the first stories read to children before bed time. (These stories have been watered-down so much that they are cute)

example: Hansel and Gretal

Also go back to the mythology stories: Kids loved that stuff horror and it kept them off the streets at night. Werewolves, vampires, monsters on the road ways eating small children and young girls.

Originally these stories were told in pubs to keep not only the children amused but the patroons as well. Like the CARTOONS of the road runner. Never created for small children but for adult amusement.

example in todays world:
The first cartoons were of Betty Boop, and Felix the cat, and Mickey Mouse and all of them were Sexual in nature.

It was because of the easy lyrics and rhythm of rhyme that made them easy to recite in the middle of the night that humored the parents, yet the children seemed to find them soothing and easy to recite as well. And they found them humorous as well.
If it put the kid to sleep fast, then what psychological harm could there be?
There was no studies at that time to show those effects on small children... and look at us today still reading them to our kids...
Those stories didn't hurt us....we tell ourselves....We turned out fine, normal well adjusted individuals, with over active imaginations.

A look at US today:
Gawking at car recks.

Watching shows like FRINGE, Dexter, CSI.
SAW I through XXX

Even the headless horsemen stuff.
Wow, Now I am glad my parents never read to me at bed time.. and Look how i turned out..

A fine well adjusted individual...

Hey I was dropped on my head a-lot when i was an infant if you really need to know.

Now can we get back to reality.(sorry Greg, I know how you hated that saying when we were playing D&D)

Sorry for this long winded text. I had just watched a documentary series on the Brothers Grimm some time back and had all this useless info to share. My info may be slightly off, then again so am I.

And I am sure P.M.D and the Dock if he reads this will add to this in more detail. And maybe i should not have gotten my GOD DAUGHTER all those wonderful books when she was born.

Which by the way I am thinking of you guys.