Goosey Goosey Gander
Nursery rhyme
Goosey goosey gander,
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs
And in my lady’s chamber.
There I met an old man
Who wouldn’t say his prayers,
So I took him by his left leg
And threw him down the stairs.
Summary of Goosey Goosey Gander
- Origins and popularity: The rhyme is an oral tradition that first appears in late eighteenth‑century folk song collections. It has been catalogued as Roud No. 6488 and was later reproduced by the Opies in their Garland of Nursery Parnassus. Its charm lies mainly in its sing‑song rhythm rather than any deep narrative.
- Structure and tone: The speaker addresses a playful character named Goosey, asking where to look for someone. He then describes moving between rooms and encountering an old man who refuses to pray, ending with the dramatic act of throwing him down the stairs. The tone is whimsical but also carries a hint of mischief.
- Historical allusions (optional): Some scholars suggest that the rhyme contains subtle references to anti‑Catholic sentiment during Cromwell’s era or to the social practice of prostitution, though these interpretations are not universally accepted. For most children, the poem is simply a fun, rhythmic story.
Analysis of Literary Devices
The poem uses several devices that make it memorable and engaging for young readers.
- alliteration: The repeated /g/ sound in “Goosey goosey gander” creates a musical quality that is easy to remember.
- assonance: Vowel repetition, such as the long /e/ in “There I met an old man,” adds internal harmony and reinforces the rhyme’s rhythm.
- consonance: The repeated consonant sounds in lines like “Who wouldn’t say his prayers” help tie the poem together sonically.
- imagery: Vivid images—“upstairs and downstairs,” “the lady’s chamber”—invite children to visualize a lively house full of movement.
- rhetorical question: The opening question, “Whither shall I wander?” engages the reader without demanding an answer, encouraging imagination.
- symbolism (optional): Some interpretations read upstairs and downstairs as symbols of social status or moral movement, while the lady’s chamber could represent temptation. These readings are more advanced and not essential for a basic understanding.
Poetic Devices in Goosey Goosey Gander
- diction: The language is simple yet rhythmic, using familiar words that children can repeat aloud.
- end rhyme: The poem follows an AABCDBCB pattern: gander/wander, man/den, prayers/stairs. This predictable rhyme scheme makes the poem easy to recite.
- stanza structure: All eight lines form a single stanza, giving the piece a compact, singable shape.
- tone: The voice is playful and slightly mischievous, inviting children to join in the fun while also hinting at a moral lesson about respect for others’ prayers.
How Each Part Contributes to the Central Message
The central message of “Goosey Goosey Gander” is that curiosity and adventure can lead to unexpected encounters, but it also reminds us to treat others with kindness. The opening question sets a tone of exploration. The movement between rooms shows the world’s variety. Meeting an old man who refuses to pray introduces a moral conflict. Finally, the act of throwing him down the stairs serves as a cautionary note: impulsive actions can have consequences.
Key Lines for Discussion
There I met an old man
Who wouldn’t say his prayers,
So I took him by his left leg
And threw him down the stairs.
These lines are useful when exploring themes of curiosity, respect, and the importance of listening to others. They also provide a clear example of how rhyme and rhythm can carry deeper meanings in a simple nursery rhyme.