Rain Rain Go Away

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For the short story by Isaac Asimov, see Rain, Rain, Go Away (short story).
William Wallace Denslow's illustrations for a variant of Rain Rain Go Away, from a 1901 edition of Mother Goose
William Wallace Denslow's illustrations for a variant of Rain Rain Go Away, from a 1901 edition of Mother Goose
Arthur, according to Denslow
Arthur, according to Denslow


"Rain Rain Go Away" is a short children's rhyme. As with many nursery rhymes the origin and meaning of this one is open for debate, but one theory dates it back to the reign of Elizabeth I of England. The invasion of the Spanish Armada was, in part, defeated by the stormy weather (which scattered the Armada fleet) hence the lyrics[1]. A song, based on the rhyme, was co-written by Gloria Shayne Baker and Noel Regney, who were married at the time.[2] Baker wrote the lyrics to the song, while Regney composed the music.[3] Rain Rain Go Away was initially recorded by Bobby Vinton.

[edit] Lyrics

Original

Rain rain go away,
Come again another day.
Little Johnny wants to play;
Rain, rain, go to Spain,
Never show your face again!

There are several longer versions, the most common of which is:

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again some other day.
Little Arthur wants to play,
In the meadow by the hay.
Rain, rain, go to Spain,
Never show your face again.
Rain, rain, pour down,
But not a drop on our town.
Rain on the green grass,
and rain on the tree,
And rain on the housetop,
but not on me.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again on washing day.
Rain, rain, go to Germany,
And remain there permanently.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come on Martha's wedding day.

Additional Verses:

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day,
If you don't, I will say,
Rain, rain go away.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
We want to go outside and play,
Come again some other day.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
If you don't, I don't care,
I'll pull down your underwear!

The folk group Peter, Paul & Mary recorded a version of "It's Raining" on their first LP in 1962.

The industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails used the short rhyme in their song "Down in It."

The rock band Breaking Benjamin used some lines in their song "Rain".

The rock band Counting Crows used the rhyme in their song "I'm not sleeping".

The rock band Electric Light Orchestra used the ryhme in their song "Rain is falling" from their 1981 album "Time".

Asian American rapper Jin sampled "Rain, rain, go away, Come again some other day" in the song called "Rain, Rain Go Away" he made dedicated to the victims of Virginia Tech Shooting.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nursery Rhymes - Lyrics and Origins! http://www.rhymes.org.uk/rain_rain_go_away.htm
  2. ^ Noland, Claire. "Gloria Shayne Baker, 84; helped write 'Do You Hear What I Hear?'", Los Angeles Times, 2008-03-15. Retrieved on 2008-03-23. 
  3. ^ Fox, Margalit. "Gloria Shayne Baker, Composer and Lyricist, Dies at 84", The New York Times, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-23. 
  4. ^ http://theemcee.com/media/music/rainraingoaway.mp3