In today's lesson, we will be delving into the classic nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty. You may remember him as the egg that sits on a wall and then tragically falls, leaving all the king's horses and all the king's men unable to put him back together again. But where did this character come from and what is the meaning behind this rhyme?
According to historians, Humpty Dumpty may have been inspired by a cannon used during the English Civil War. The cannon, known as Great Tom, was mounted on the walls of the city of Colchester and was famously used to defend the city from attack. However, during one siege, the cannon was toppled from the wall and was unable to be repaired, leading to its nickname "Humpty Dumpty."
The riddle of Humpty Dumpty was first recorded in print in 1810 in Gammer Gurton's Garland, but it was also found in a manuscript of Mother Goose's Melody dating back to 1803. The only difference between the original version and the modern one was the final line, which stated "Could not set Humpty Dumpty up again" instead of the familiar "All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again."
Humpty Dumpty has become a beloved nursery rhymes for children of all ages. Get ready to have some fun.
Humpty Dumpty Video
“Humpty Dumpty” Lyrics Now
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.
“Humpty Dumpty” Original Lyrics (First printed vesion)
Humpty Dumpty sate [sic] on a wall,
Humpti Dumpti [sic] had a great fall;
Threescore men and threescore more,
Cannot place Humpty dumpty as he was before.