Bo Peep February 16, 2017 All Rhymes 1 Comment

An old man snores in bed while a bump is seen on his head

It’s Raining It’s Pouring

It’s raining, it’s pouring;
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head,
And couldn’t get up in the morning.

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Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Moral & Lesson, Mother Goose Classics, Nature & Seasons, Songs & Verses

Tagged bed, injury, morning, old man, rain, sleep, snoring

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Bo Peep

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15 days ago

Sometimes this rhyme is accompanied by this second verse:

Rain, rain, go away;
Come again another day;
Little Johnny wants to play.

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Meaning

At its surface, this rhyme depicts an old man who, as it rains, goes to bed, snores, bumps his head, and cannot get up the next morning. The cheery rhythm and simple imagery have led generations of children to chant it playfully on rainy days. However, the final lines carry a darker undertone—implying that the old man may have suffered a serious accident or even died in his sleep.

Origin

The rhyme originated in the United States in the early 20th century, with the first printed example in The Little Mother Goose (1912). It became widely popular in both the US and UK, often sung with the melody of “A Tisket, A Tasket.” The earliest known audio recording was made in 1939 by folklorist Herbert Halpert.
(Sources: Wikipedia, MentalFloss)

Time Period

The song entered print in 1912 and was recorded in oral tradition throughout the 20th century in North America and the UK.

Why It Became Popular

Children enjoy singing the rhyme for its catchy tune and easy repetition, often using it during rainy weather or in group play. Its simple structure and relatable imagery—an old man napping while it rains—helped ensure its popularity for over a century.

First Known Publication

The earliest print appearance is in The Little Mother Goose (1912, United States).

Structure and Style

Meter: Trochaic, with a sing-song melody
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Line Count: 4
Style Notes: Rhythmic, repetitive, and ideal for group singing

Themes

Weather (rain)
Daily life
Accidents
Consequences
Play and routine

Language Notes

The rhyme uses concise and evocative language (“snoring,” “bumped his head”), making it memorable. The narrative is ambiguous, allowing interpretations from comic to morbid, depending on audience and context.

Moral or Lesson

Possible interpretations include: a gentle warning about being careful, especially with head injuries; a cautionary message about overindulgence (if read as an allegory for drinking); or simply a depiction of how rain can prompt sleepiness.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Scholars and medical experts have suggested that the rhyme may be a veiled reference to the danger of head injuries or even a warning about drunkenness, with “raining and pouring” referring not just to the weather but also to excessive drinking. Nonetheless, it is most often regarded as an innocent children’s rhyme about a sleepy, rainy day.

Notable Variants

Some versions vary the verbs (“he went to bed and bumped his head” vs “he bumped his head and went to bed”), but the overall story remains the same.

Appearances in Media or Literature

Frequently appears in nursery rhyme collections, school songbooks, and is often performed in early childhood settings and media.

Suggested Activities

Singing Game: Chant together on rainy days, using hand motions to mimic sleeping and snoring.
Mood Discussion: Talk about how rain makes people feel—sleepy, calm, playful—and encourage expressive movement or writing.
Safety Lesson: Use the rhyme to discuss the importance of safety (e.g., watching for hazards and why we have bedtime routines).
Art Project: Draw scenes inspired by the rhyme, such as rainy windows or an old man resting indoors.
Rhyme Extension: Invite children to add new verses about things to do or eat on a rainy day.
Drama Play: Act out the rhyme as a skit, taking turns as the old man and narrators.

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It’s Raining It’s Pouring

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