Ding Dong Bell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ding Dong Bell is a popular English nursery rhyme.
Contents |
[edit] Origin
The origins of this nursery rhyme date back to the 16th Century and the era of Shakespeare who used the phrase "Ding Dong Bell" in several plays. The original lyrics of "Ding Dong Bell" actually ended with the cat being left to drown! These words were later modified and the cat was then saved by 'Little Tommy Stout' to encourage children to understand that it was unacceptable and cruel to harm any animal 'who ne'er did any harm'. The latter version taught morality at an early age. This is an early example of the current trend for making children's rhymes more 'politically correct'.
"Ding Dong Bell" also introduces a child to onomatopoeia. In this nursery rhyme the lyrics and words "ding dong", when pronounced, convey the actual sounds.
[edit] The Shakespeare Connection
The phrase "Ding Dong Bell" was used by William Shakespeare. However, given the original drafts of Shakespeare plays were in Quarto text and the majority were not published until 1623 in the First Folio (seven years after his death), the following phrase could actually be the writer's original instructions for sound effects, although this is not certain.
The Tempest, Act I, Scene II:
- "Sea nymphs hourly ring his knell:
- Hark! Now I hear them - Ding, dong, bell."
The Merchant of Venice, Act III, Scene II:
- "Let us all ring fancy's bell;
- I'll begin it - Ding, dong, bell."
[edit] The Modern Rhyme
- Ding, Dong, Bell,
- Pussy’s in the Well.
- Who put Her in?
- Little Johnny Flynn.
- Who pulled Her out?
- Little Tommy Stout.
- What a Naughty Boy was that,
- To try to Drown poor Pussy Cat,
- Who ne’er did Him any Harm,
- But killed all the mice in the Father’s Barn.
[edit] Trivia
- It is not well known what is "Johnny's" actual surname. He is sometimes known as "Flynn", and sometimes as "Thin". However, the most commonly used surname is "Green", which is odd because the way the name is usually pronounced does not really rhyme with the term "in".
 |
This poetry-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
