Shoots and Ladders
Korn Lyrics

Ring around the Rosies, pocket full of posies Ashes, ashes, we all fall down
The innocent nursery rhyme of 'Ring around the Rosies' is juxtaposed against the reality of death and decay portrayed in the line 'Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.' It could be interpreted as a commentary on how childhood innocence is not always reflective of the harsh reality of the world.

Nursery rhymes are said, verses in my head Into my childhood, they're spoon-fed Hidden violence revealed, darkness that seems real Look at the pages that cause all this evil
The song suggests that the seemingly harmless nursery rhymes and childhood tales contain disturbing messages about violence and suffering. The line 'look at the pages that cause all this evil' is particularly significant as it implies that the stories themselves are to blame for the darkness that exists in the world.

One, two, buckle my shoe Three, four, shut the door Five, six, pick up sticks Seven, eight, lay them straight London Bridge is falling down Falling down, falling down London Bridge is falling down My fair lady
The song uses a series of nursery rhyme verses, such as 'One, two, buckle my shoe' and 'London Bridge is falling down,' to further emphasize the notion that childhood tales and songs can have a pervasive influence on our minds. The repeated mention of 'falling down' could be interpreted as a metaphor for the collapse of innocence, or society at large.

Nick nack paddy wack, give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Nick nack paddy wack, give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Nick nack paddy wack, give a dog a bone This old man came rolling home Nick nack paddy wack, give a dog a bone This old man came
These seemingly silly and meaningless nursery rhymes are juxtaposed with the idea of 'rolling home,' which could represent the monotonous routine of life. The line 'give a dog a bone' could suggest that humans will resort to any means necessary to achieve a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment, even if it means desecrating a grave for bones.

Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow (baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?) Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow (yes sir, yes sir, three bags full) Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow (baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?) Mary had a little lamb (yes sir, yes sir, three bags full)
The popular nursery rhyme of 'Mary had a little lamb' is used to show how even the most benign of tales can be psychologically damaging. The repetition of the phrases such as 'baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?' and 'yes sir, yes sir, three bags full,' are reminiscent of a military cadence and could symbolize rigid structure and control in society.