Teddy Tahu Rhodes Sings Naughty Nursery Rhymes For Valentine's Day

(Photo: Courier-Mail)

"With the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Rhodes will bring to life a selection of wonderful music, including some exciting interpretations of well-loved nursery rhymes. 'The nursery rhymes in particular are an odd mix,' he says. 'It's the poetry of the 18th century coupled with the jazzy type music of our generation.' While this juxtaposition may seem unusual, the history of nursery rhymes reveals the two might actually be great friends. 'The whole idea, when I read up on the nursery rhymes themselves, is they were taken from old drinking
songs,' he explains. 'They originated in the bars and back-lane pubs of England and Europe and somehow they were then transferred into things to sing to children. The words are more for adults than they are for children themselves, they can be quite frightening really.' The nursery rhyme Ring-a-ring-a-rosie is thought to be about the plague and Round and Round the Mulberry Bush has been linked to a song sung by female prisoners while they exercised in the 19th century. 'There are all sorts of connotations to them," Rhodes says. "They aren't as innocent as you might think.'" [Source]