"Hey Diddle Diddle" is a popular nursery rhyme.Many cultures (though not all; see below) feature children's songs and verses that are passed down by oral tradition from one generation to the next (either from parent to child, or from older children to younger children). In the English language, the term "nursery rhyme" generally refers to those of European origin, and the best known examples are English and originated in or since the 17th century. Their origins were possibly a form of oral political cartoon, from an era when free speech could get the speaker imprisoned. Nursery rhymes, however, are often violent in nature, for example, in Jack and Jill, Jack fell down and "Broke his crown"- meaning breaking his skull.
Some nursery rhymes, however, are substantially older. "Sing a Song of Sixpence" exists in written records as far back as the Middle Ages. Some well known nursery rhymes originated in the United States, such as "Mary had a little lamb".
Humpty Dumpty
Nursery Rhymes Lyrics
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Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again
The nursery rhyme "Humpty Dumpty" tells the story of a character by the same name, Humpty Dumpty, who is shown as sitting on a wall. However, unfortunately, in the very next line, he meets with a tragic event and has a great fall. The rhyme further mentions how all the king's horses and all the king's men, who represent the powers of the state, try to put Humpty Dumpty together again, but to no avail.
Figuratively speaking, the term 'Humpty Dumpty' is a metaphor for something that has suffered irreversible damage beyond repair. The image of all the king's horses and men being unable to fix Humpty Dumpty makes the point that sometimes, something or someone cannot be fixed no matter how strong the forces trying to fix it are.
The message in the nursery rhyme could be that we must be careful where we find ourselves sitting and be wary of prideful positions that may lead to our downfall. Additionally, it teaches young children that not everything is fixable, and it's essential to take care of objects and things we value before they break beyond repair.
Line by Line Meaning
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty was in a vulnerable position, perching on a lofty structure
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
Humpty Dumpty suffered a devastating, possibly fatal, injury
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Despite the resources and efforts of those in power, no solution could be found
Couldn't put Humpty together again
There was no way to fully recover or restore what was lost
Lyrics © Histoire et Chansons
Written by: Public Domain
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