By BBC Music Magazine

Published: Sunday, 01 January 2023 at 12:00 am


The first recorded version of the nursery rhyme ‘Goosey Goosey Gander dates back to 1784 when it was published in Gammer Gurton’s Garland or The Nursery Parnassus, however its origins could go back much further.

There are those who believe the rhyme refers to priests holes, hiding places for catholic priests during the reformation and reigns of King Henry VIII, his children Edward, Queen Elizabeth and, later, under Oliver Cromwell, as when priests were found they were throw down the stairs