Bo Peep February 17, 2017 All Rhymes 0 Comments

Mother puts baby to bed as the moon comes up

The Man in the Moon

The man in the moon
Looked out of the moon
And this is what he said,
“Tis time that, now I’m getting up,
All babies went to bed.”

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Posted in All Rhymes, Lullabies, Moral & Lesson, Mother Goose Classics, Nature & Seasons

Tagged baby, bedtime, man in the moon, moon, sleep

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Meaning

This gentle bedtime rhyme features the Man in the Moon as an arbiter of nighttime, playfully suggesting that as he “gets up” (rises in the sky), all children should be going to sleep. It is commonly used as a soothing or ritual verse to guide children toward bedtime, establishing a link between the moon’s rising and children’s sleeping schedules.

Origin

First documented in early 20th-century nursery collections, such as The Real Mother Goose (1916), this version is considered a modern variant of older lunar-themed rhymes. It distills the folklore of the Man in the Moon into a comforting and pragmatic message for children, departing from the older, nonsense wit of the “Norwich” versions.

Time Period

Published widely in the early 1900s, it quickly gained popularity in English-speaking nurseries and bedtime routines, enduring as a beloved short rhyme for generations.

Why It Became Popular

Its simplicity, cosmic imagery, and direct bedtime message made it easy for parents and teachers to recite. The rhyme resonated for its comforting tone and the universal nightly ritual of putting children to sleep.

Structure and Style

Meter: Iambic, with a lilting, lullaby-like quality
Rhyme Scheme: AABCC
Line Count: 5
Style Notes: Narrative, direct speech, gentle imperative, lullaby imagery

Themes

Bedtime and nighttime rituals
Nature and the moon
Observation and daily cycles
Parental guidance

Language Notes

The use of the moon as a “timekeeper” introduces young children to the idea of natural cycles. The phrase “looked out of the moon” personifies the moon, helping children find wonder in astronomical phenomena and the routines of bedtime.

Moral or Lesson

Encourages gentle compliance with bedtime routines, using charming imagery and the moon’s authority as a guide.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Distinct from earlier nonsense or folkloric versions, this variant focuses on establishing a soothing bedtime ritual. Notably included in The Real Mother Goose (1916) and frequently taught in preschools and by caregivers.

Notable Variants

Other forms shift “babies” to “children,” or may lengthen the rhyme with an additional stanza reinforcing the bedtime message.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Found in early 20th-century nursery rhyme anthologies and many modern bedtime storybooks and children’s recordings.

Suggested Activities

Bedtime Ritual: Recite before tucking in children, associating the rhyme with the sight of the rising moon.
Art Project: Draw the Man in the Moon peeking out and saying goodnight to children below.
Routine Chart: Create a bedtime visual schedule using rhyme imagery.
Storytelling: Invent new bedtime instructions given by the Man in the Moon.
Singing Activity: Set the rhyme to a soft, lullaby melody for a nighttime routine.

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