Abretske2617NurseryRhyme 20/20 Great!
Name of Rhyme: Rain, Rain Go Away
Historical Time/Date: During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603)
Historical Significance: During the Spanish Armada in 1588 the Spanish side had much
more power in man and ammo against the English. The English was much smaller but
quicker. The English defeated Spain with the help of the stormy weather hence Rain, rain
go away.
Original Lyrics: Rain rain go away
Come again another day
Little Johnny wants to play
Rain, rain go to Spain,
Never show your face again.
Interpretation of Rhyme/What the words in the Rhyme meant originally:
There are many versions of this rhyme and one that seems to be the most popular is the
one connected with the Spanish Armada. The British felt that the rain helped them win
the war and drive Spain away. Also there are some versions that say to come back on a
wedding day and some feel that if it rains on a wedding day it will bring luck to the bride
and groom. Everyone enjoys a day of playing outside and if it rains it could spoil the
day. Actually here in these days’ children enjoy playing in the rain especially after a very
long hot spell.
Latest Recorded version of Rhyme
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
Rain, rain, go away.
Come again some other day.
Little Arthur wants to play,
In the meadow by the hay.
Rain, rain, go to Spain,
Never show your face again.
Rain, rain, pour down,
But not a drop on our town.
Rain on the green grass,
and rain on the tree,
And rain on the housetop,
but not on me.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again on washing day.
Rain, rain, go to Germany,
And remain there permanently.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come on Martha's wedding day.
Site names and URLs where you found the information:
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_Rain_Go_Away
Nursery Rhymes Lyrics and Origins
http://www.rhymes.org.uk/rain_rain_go_away.htm
Any other interesting facts:
The folk group Peter, Paul and Mary recorded a version of It’s Raining on their
LP in 1962. I know it well!
Other rock bands have used some lines for their songs.
A short story by Isaac Asimov Rain, Rain Go Away is about a family who avoids
water and gets caught in the rain and ends up melting.