Jack and Jill ... the truth behind the nursery rhyme

Australian poetry written especially for children of all ages including pre-school children.
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alongtimegone
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Jack and Jill ... the truth behind the nursery rhyme

Post by alongtimegone » Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:31 pm

I have been a registered member of the Sunshine Coast branch of U3A, University of the Third Age, for a couple of years, though not financial at present. They too have an index of interests to which members can post. My main interest was in the 'Writing for Pleasure' forum. Occasionally members would post challenges. One of the challenges of some time ago was to rewrite a children's nursery rhyme to explain its origin. I chose Jack and Jill.

I tried to submit the poem as an attachment but kept getting this message. The extension doc is not allowed. Perhaps someone can help me with this. So I've copied and pasted. I didn't want to submit it this way as it's quite long. Anyway here it is for what it's worth.

Cheers ... Wazza

Jack and Jill

Last week I was reading a nursery rhyme
to Sophie, my youngest granddaughter,
of a boy and a girl who were climbing a hill
to bring down a pail of fresh water.

It started me thinking “Who were these poor kids?”
Hard workers of that there’s no doubt.
So I went to the library (my computer had crashed),
determined that I would find out.

It appears that the boy was really the son
of the Lord of an English Estate.
But his mother had been just a servant,
who warmed the Lord’s bed one night late.

When the Lady found out, as wives usually do,
that the Lord had been fooling around,
she ordered the servant now heavy with child,
to go where she’d never be found.

So she travelled … in truth not much else she could do,
‘till poor girl she could travel no more.
And she found herself spent and exhausted
on the step of a young herdsman’s door.

There is much I could tell you about this young man,
but sufficeth to say he was lonely.
And in time he opened his heart to the girl
with a promise that he’d love her only.

When the baby arrived they christened him Jack.
He was handsome and healthy and strong.
And no more than another short year had passed
when Jack’s sister happened along.

Two babes in arms, a Jack and a Jill,
for that’s what Jack’s sister was called.
And very much loved by their parents,
who watched them grow sturdy and tall.

Then one day in the distance a bugle was heard,
announcing the King on his way
to the castle in Abbotsford County,
where he planned through the winter to stay.

Many Lords and their Ladies rode with him.
And a company of soldiers well armed.
The king turned and signalled “I’m thirsty.
Look yonder, we’ll rest at that farm.”

The herdsman said “Welcome.”
He bowed his head low.As did his children and wife.
“I am but a poor man your majesty,
though this honour I’ll cherish through life.”

“Some water” the king spoke, “I’m needing.
But cool and fresh it must be.
Get your children to go to the well on the hill
and there fill a clean pail for me.”

Now as Jack and his sister were climbing,
all the Lords to their King gathered round.
And one who had stayed behind on his horse
did finally dismount and come down.

He walked forward and gazed at the young herdsman’s wife
as she set up a place for the king.
And he wished he could speak and ask of the child,
but paused for the sorrow t'would bring.

A brief returned look the wife did allow
before she shifted her gaze
to her children now coming back down the hill
with the water his Majesty craved.

It was Jill who first called when she saw poor Jack fall.
He was bouncing around and around
and again she called out, “Can someone please help?
I think Jack has broken his crown.”

The herdsman looked up at the sound of the cry
and fast up the hill he did run.
As worried as any good father would be
at the thought of a hurt to his son.

And quickly the Lord was back on his horse.
Up the hill to the boy he did speed
with regret in his heart for the chances he’d missed
to be there for the child in his need.

He carried young Jack gently, back down the hill
to a mother whose arms opened wide.
And he handed him back and turned quickly away,
Lest she notice the tear in his eye.

So now folks you know the real story
of Jack and his sister Jill.
and how they came to be carrying down
that water from high on a hill.

But there’s just one more fact that I want to make clear,
Though the rhyme tells us Jill tumbled after.
The truth is that Jill didn’t tumble at all.
She was just doubled over with laughter.


© Warren Cox 2011

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Maureen K Clifford
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Re: Jack and Jill ... the truth behind the nursery rhyme

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:47 pm

Well I like it Wazza :lol: :lol: :lol: And if as the original tale tells Jack's head was bound up in brown paper and he was stinking of vinegar no doubt in my mind at all that Jill would have laughed her socks off.

Good write

Cheers

Maureen
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

Heather

Re: Jack and Jill ... the truth behind the nursery rhyme

Post by Heather » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:38 am

Very clever Warren. Loved the punch line.

Heather :)

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alongtimegone
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Location: Brisbane

Re: Jack and Jill ... the truth behind the nursery rhyme

Post by alongtimegone » Wed Jan 16, 2013 5:54 pm

Thanks Maureen. Must admit I'd forgotten there was a second verse. I wonder how many young children of today get to hear the old nursery rhymes?
Heather ... thank you. Happy that you enjoyed it.

Cheers.

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