To Babylon

Origin & Meaning

To Babylon is a travel rhyme dressed up as a riddle. The child asks a simple question: How far is it? The adult—or whoever plays the “answer” part—replies with an old biblical-style measurement: “threescore miles and ten.” In plain language, that means 70 miles. For a child, that’s practically the edge of the world.

The surprise comes next.

Can the trip be made by candle-light—meaning before the candle burns down and the night ends?

The answer isn’t cautious or practical.

It’s Yes. And back again.

That optimism is the heartbeat of the rhyme. In a children’s world, time doesn’t limit imagination. If your feet are quick and your spirit is lively, even Babylon is reachable. The rhyme isn’t interested in realism. It celebrates boldness. It rewards enthusiasm. It quietly hands the child the idea that energy and confidence can bend distance.

Historically, Babylon symbolized the far-away, the exotic, the unreachable. Nursery rhymes often borrowed grand locations—Babylon, Banbury Cross, London—not to teach geography, but to spark a little awe. Kids recited the verse as a rhythmic back-and-forth during play, sometimes hopping, racing, or running in circles as they said it.

At its core, the rhyme whispers a simple message:

Don’t measure the world before you take the first step.

If your heels are fast and you keep your light burning, even impossible destinations start shrinking.