01 January 2010

Oranges and Lemons


Recently I had to do a BBC Radio London Interview with Max Hutchinson about the origins of the traditional rhyme 'Oranges and Lemons'. This was an outside recording in Martin Lane, in the City of London: I was the first to arrive, and had just succeeded in walking straight past the rendezvous point - what little was left of the church of St Martin Orgar - when my attention was grabbed by this knitted set of oranges and lemons adorning the railings. Only in this country, surely!


'Oranges and Lemons' was always one of my favourites as a child, and not only for "Here comes a chopper to chop off your head" (though that did play a large part). There are several versions of the words, but they all chime - and we concluded that the rhyme had been made up largely for the pure pleasure of the sounds, although it may possibly have had some part of its origin in inter-parish rivalry, perhaps over monetary matters.

6 comments:

Jilly said...

I always loved 'here comes a chopper . . . ' I also liked the one about throwing someone down the stairs! When you think about it nursery rhymes are pretty bloodthirsty.

I agree with you that 'Oranges and Lemons' does sound special - especially when sung with a descant.

Jilly said...

Forgor to say - I like the knitted oranges and lemons!

NAM said...

Yes, they are a bit good, aren't they - and a bit mad as well, even better!

Most nursery rhymes worth the name are tough stuff, a bit like a lot of the traditional ballads - and as I may have said before, I'm convinced 'London Bridge is falling down' originally had a verse that began 'Build it up with blood and bones'. I was horrified to hear that Maeve isn't allowed to include 'Oranges and Lemons' in her 'rhyme and story' sessions at the library where she works because it would frighten the children - talk about wrapping them up in cotton wool!

Jilly said...

'Oranges and Lemons' wouldn't frighten any child I've ever come across and I suspect it would have more effect on adults than it ever would on a child.

NAM said...

Exactly - this comes up time and time again in the museum - "Oh, but won't it frighten the children?". I invariably say "No, they will probably take this one completely in their stride and be terrified by something you could never even guess at!" And it's absolutely true...

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