Lowlands-L: Things They Left Us: Folk traditions of the Lowlands worldwide
Lowlands-L: Things They Left Us: Folk traditions of the Lowlands worldwide

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Black Cat Crossing!
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  Extended Sayings 1
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  Forerunners of Rap
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Jan Hinnerk
 
Kirkin’ o’ The Tartan
 
Tongue Twisters
 
The Treckfiedel
  Ring a Ring o Rosie
 
The Weaver Poets

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Ring a Ring o Rosie

Oby Tom Carty (Thomas O’ Carthaigh),
Tullamore (Tullach Mhor), Ireland

The children’s rhyme “Ring a Ring o Rosie” comes from the time of the Black Death, and the “Atishoo, atishoo” line comes from the first signs of the plague, which were sneezing, flu-like symptoms.

That is also where we get the phrase “God bless you” in English when someone sneezes. It is literally a prayer someone is not getting the plague. Incidentally, the Slavs seem to say “Nazdraviye” (very bad spelling!!!) or “Cheers”, actually “To (your) health!”

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