Jack Be Nimble

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jump over the candlestick.

Jack jumped high,
Jack jumped low,
Jack jumped over and burned his toe.

Comments

  • Bibalu says:

    Jack Be Nimble is a nursery rhyme. Suggestions about its origins are: it is related to a marriage ceremony; it celebrates the escapes of a pirate; or it is about a religious choice which could have led to burning at the stake.

    Another tradition holds that the Jack be Nimble nursery rhyme refers to the Yellow Fever (also called the yellow jack fever), which was believed to be kept at bay by flames. Candles would be put at the bedsides of children to keep the fever away.

    It is also suggested that “jumping over a candlestick” was a way of foretelling the future. If the candle stayed lit, good luck should follow, whereas if it went out, bad luck would follow. (from Wikipedia)

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