It's raining, it's pouring;
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and he
Bumped his head
And he couldn't get up
In the morning.
And so it goes on another Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder.
Thanks for singing along with me and have a great weekend!
A little bit of history about the song. It is a quite modern nursery rhyme, first recorded by the composer Charles Ives in 1939, New York.
The first line “It’s raining – it’s pouring – old men are snoring” was once published in The Outlook, weekly newspaper (New York City, 1909). Since then, there was no other mention about it until 1939. From 1944 onwards the song’s copyright belongs to Freda Selicoff, Indiana.
Of course I know the rhyme. But I never knew the second part. And I bet most people don't know it either. I'm glad to see your Saturday Birdfeeder post today. I hope this means you are feeling some better.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny, all better now :) There are more verses too.
DeleteWe used to sing that song as children, but now that I'm seeing it here, I wondered about those words. I don't know if it's true but I've seen from several online sources that the raining and pouring is actually referring to drinking and having a hangover. The old gentleman is getting drunk, then falling and bumping his head and dying thus not being able to get up in the morning. I guess nursery rhymes could have interesting meanings. I wonder if this is true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for investigating Kay :) Startingly, a lot of these old children's rhymes have a dark edge to them. "Ring a Ring o' Roses" for instance, is actually describing the Black Plague!!! I never knew these stories as a child. We even sang them at school.
DeleteYour dialogue is very soothing to read.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have made my day. Thank you so much for sharing that :)
DeleteRemember that song. Nice post Denise and do hope you are feeling much improved.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, all better now :)
Deletei remember chanting this and now am wondering if kay is right about what it means. also wondering if i care enough to research. ha ha sweet little talking birds today
ReplyDeleteKay is right, a lot of these old nursery rhymes have darker meanings.
DeleteVery familiar with that old rhyme. Didn't know where it came from though.
ReplyDeleteIt started me thinking about other nursery rhymes out there.
DeleteFun to see the chatter at the feeder, once again, Denise, and also I hope that you are feeling much better. The weather here in Nashua, NH, is supposed to be lovely this weekend, after the morning fog goes away. Hope you are able to get outdoors for a while if your weather is nice as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dorothy, happy you thought so :) The sun is shining today, I hope you are getting the same.
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne :)
DeleteI could sing along and thanks for the fun memory and history, too. Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Ellen and thank you :) Happy Tuesday!
DeleteNow is the Charles Ives a relative of Burle Ives?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question Red. I've done a bit of research but couldn't find a connection. I always loved the man's voice, it had a unique quality :)
DeleteHappy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, and as I am just catching up, Happy Tuesday! :)
DeleteDarling times at the feeder, my friend. Nice to hear of the history that I've never heard before. I do hope you are feeling much better!
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend, all well now thanks for asking :)
DeleteOh gosh, I hadn't heard that in ages. Now it's stuck in my head ... thanks. hehe.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, lol! Those songs take a while to go away and now I'm singing it too ;)
DeleteYes, a familiar rhyme.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Denise :)
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan, much appreciated. All the best to you too :)
DeleteThat's an interesting song. You too have a great day, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie, I hope yours is going great :)
DeleteYou will laugh at all my antics with my bird camera! Yours are so good.
ReplyDeleteI always love your critter posts Jenn. I don't have my cam out there yet. Still grabbing my regular one inside. Soon I hope I will figure out where I am going to attach the trail cam outside :) Old wooden railings were much easier but I still am very happy with the new deck after all these years, and I'll figure it out eventually.
DeleteOh Yes, I remember that song well, Denise.
ReplyDeleteHave a restful and peaceful weekend. I am reading that you had a Winter bug. I hope you are feeling better, my friend.
~Sheri
Thank you so much, all better now my friend :)
DeleteI hope you're not in the path of the noreaster! Love your birds!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanie, don't remember the weather being so bad. I hope you've had good weather your way. Thank you, and the birds thank you too :)
Delete