Nursery Rhymes Lyrics and Origins PREVIOUS RHYME NURSERY RHYME INDEX NEXT RHYME Jack and Jill Rhyme Nursery Rhyme & History Jack and Jill story - The French (history) connection!

The roots of the story, or poem, of Jack and Jill are in France. Jack and Jill referred to are said to be King Louis XVI - Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Jill - (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics to the Jack and Jill poem were made more acceptable as a story for children by providing a happy ending! The actual beheadings occurred in during the Reign of Terror in 1793. The first publication date for the lyrics of Jack and Jill rhyme is 1795 - which ties-in with the history and origins. The Jack and Jill poem is also known as Jack and Gill - the mis-spelling of Gill is not uncommon in nursery rhymes as they are usually passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. A Death by Beheading!

On the gruesome subject of beheading it was the custom that following execution the severed head was held up by the hair by the executioner. This was not, as many people think, to show the crowd the head but in fact to show the head the crowd and it's own body! Consciousness remains for at least eight seconds after beheading until lack of oxygen causes unconsciousness and eventually death. The guillotine is associated with the French but the English were the first to use this device as described in our section containing Mary Mary Quite Contrary Rhyme. A picture of a French Revolution execution scene during the Reign of Terror Jack and Jill poem and story Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water

Jack fell down and broke his crown

And Jill came tumbling after.

Up got Jack, and home did trot

As fast as he could caper

He went to bed and bound his head

With vinegar and brown paper.



Jack and Jill poem and story Nursery Rhymes - Lost Lyrics and Origins PREVIOUS RHYME NURSERY RHYME INDEX NEXT RHYME Note: A Rhymes lyrics and the perceived origins of some Nursery Rhymes vary according to location Privacy Statement Cookies Policy © Feb 2017 Siteseen Ltd. lindaka.education@gmail.com Written By Linda Alchin