May 2009
As we come towards the end of Circle Time, after the Little Dragons have sat (or not) entranced by the many voices and animated actions of the story teller, excitement mounts as we come to the singing part of our session. We always have songs or rhymes which connect to the story and art and craft work of the particular session but always finish off with a popular action song.
For some of our little charges the absolute favourite is, ‘Oh, the Grand Old Duke of York!’ and when this is announced – in some cases even earlier – several little people toddle to their feet, eager anticipation written on their faces. By the time we have sung and applied vigorous actions, repeating the same 3 or 4 times, we know that most of our little people will be ready for a nap, thereby giving their Carer chance for an after-lunch sit down and a quiet hour. There is always method in our madness although it may not always be apparent to the casual observer.
Being aware that most children’s rhymes derive from historical happenings – e.g. (according to Wikepedia) Ring a Ring a Roses is associated with the Great Plague of 1665 or an even earlier outbreak of bubonic plague in England; Baa, Baa Black Sheep is associated with the medieval ‘Great’ or ‘Old Custom’ Wool Tax of 1275; I have wondered what the historical association might be of our Grand Old Duke. Apparently, the said famous Duke of York was the second child of King George III. As an inexperienced young military officer he led his troops into battle against French forces following the French Revolution. Obviously his ‘ups and downs’ must have been quite memorable as they are still being sung about more than 200 years later. Luckily for him, he redeemed himself in later years by his reorganisation of the nation’s forces which led to the defeat of Napoleon’s crack troops. He also founded Sandhurst.
I wonder if, in a further 200 or 300 years, topical rhymes written in today’s climate will be a source of children’s entertainment. Such a rhyme might begin, ‘Sleaze, sleaze go away!’ or ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5, my expenses took a dive!’
Perhaps, like the Grand Old Duke we should just keep on trying despite the world’s idiosyncracies. Perhaps it was from his story that the famous saying, ‘If you don’t at first succeed, try, try, try again!’ was born. I remember well, as a child of 7, learning to play the piano. ‘Try, try, try again,’ said my Dad, as I struggled with ‘Jam for Tea, Jam for Tea.’ ‘I have tried - and tried - and tried again - and I still can’t do it!’ I wailed as I wept over the ivories. However, experience has taught me that it was good advice which has proved many times to have been well worth the effort. Perhaps, rather than simply try, try, try three times we should take the biblical advice of seventy times seven – although this could seem to be rather extreme.
Whatever, don’t give up! Perseverance is good for the soul! 
Val Butterworth