Creepy origins of Humpty Dumpty as people ‘haunted’ after realising what it actually is
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Andrew_Howe/Getty Images
People are re-reading the lyrics of Humpty Dumpty as an adult after making some 'haunting' revelations.
There was rarely a moment where you would think about the deeper meanings behind things as a kid, especially not nursery rhymes.
You'd like to think they're just sweet and innocent little tunes, made to be catchy for children to enjoy.
But adults are making some shocking revelations after reading back the lyrics, and one has confessed it's kept them 'up at night'.
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Humpty Dumpty is one of the most shocking.
As a child, you may have believed that the tune was about an egg who fell off a wall, unable to be put back together.
But what you may notice, upon taking a closer read of these lyrics, is that there is no mention of Humpty being an egg at all...
*Chills*
But if not an egg, then what/who on earth is Humpty Dumpty, and why couldn't he be saved?
When it comes to who the character was inspired by, and the creepy origins of the story, there are a couple of different theories.
According to Jane Etheridge - Vice Chair of Federation of Children's Book Groups - 'Humpty' actually describes a canon, not a man, or an egg.
"It's believed to be Roundhead propaganda about a Royalist cannon," she explained.
And many on social media have raised the same question.
One said: "Oh my goodness, how did I not realize this?"
Another added: "This has been haunting me for years."
For those who haven't heard it in a while, let's have a reminder as to how the nostalgic rhyme actually goes.
The lyrics read: "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."
When you reflect back, Etheridge's theory does make sense.
During the English Civil War of the 17th century, a large canon from the attacking side managed to destroy the wall that the English canon was positioned on, and was unable to be rebuilt.
Of course, this could be Humpty.
Another theory people believe is that he is representing Richard III, who, with his men, was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
It's all very interesting...I just still can't believe I've lived a whole life thinking he was an egg.