Three Children Sliding on the Ice
Three children sliding on the ice
Upon a summer's day,
As it fell out, they all fell in,
The rest they ran away.
Oh, had these children been at school,
Or sliding on dry ground,
Ten thousand pounds to one penny
They had not then been drowned..
Ye parents who have children dear,
And ye, too, who have none,
If you would keep them safe abroad,
Pray keep them safe at home.
Origin
"Three Children Sliding on the Ice," dates back to the 17th or 18th century, though its precise origin remains shrouded in mystery. Passed down through generations like a treasured family heirloom, the rhyme has witnessed myriad variations in both lyrics and melody, each lending its own enchanting twist.
The Frosty Fable Unraveled
This winsome rhyme spins a yarn of three spirited children, merrily frolicking upon the ice. Alas, their slippery escapade takes a dire turn when they plunge into the icy depths below. The tale's somber ending imparts a cautionary message to attentive parents, urging them to guard their younglings with a watchful eye.
Cultural Reverberations
The song's chilling warning resonates in the hearts of many cultures that have embraced it. Its frosty lesson cautions children against the perils of playing on frozen bodies of water, lest they suffer the same fate as the trio in the rhyme. A powerful reminder, wrapped in playful verse and melody, that sometimes even the most joyous moments carry a hint of danger.
