Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to sing "two little boys" to my DD

52 replies

Justforlaughs · 20/10/2013 18:47

in the light of the revelations about Rolf Harris? After all no-one would sing Gary Glitters songs now, but I like the song (and she loves it)

OP posts:
FuckyNellItsHalloween · 20/10/2013 18:48

No I wouldn't.

FortyDoorsToNowhere · 20/10/2013 18:51

Most nursery rhymes have a bad meaning behind them.

I wouldn't sing it because I have never liked it.

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 20/10/2013 18:53

It's a lovely song, I loved RH. If you are going to stop singing this, then you probably need to stop singing pretty much every other child's song there ever was!

Iamsparklyknickers · 20/10/2013 18:54

There are other versions, it was around years before RH.

It'll have connotations for our generation but I doubt your DD will ever really take much of an interest - it'll be history to her. Although maybe not one to sing in public though.

Caitlin17 · 20/10/2013 18:54

Difficult one. Probably not, a shame as it's a lovely wee song.

Then again Wagner was a vile person (in a different way of course) and no one bans him.

There is also the sculptor Eric Gill who was utterly vile and his work is still on public display on all sorts of public buildings including churches.

If you haven't heard of him, Google him, but be warned, he was a nasty piece of work.

ilovesooty · 20/10/2013 18:56

He hasn't actually been convicted yet has he?

MelanieCheeks · 20/10/2013 18:57

I would continue singing it if you like- your daughter will only associate the song with you, not anyone who's performed it.

JaneFonda · 20/10/2013 18:57

I'm curious - what are the bad connotations? I know about RH obviously, but is it just because he sang it, or is there something in the song that I'm missing?

MalcolmTuckersMistress · 20/10/2013 18:57

He's not been found guilty of anything yet! Blimey.

MetellaEstMater · 20/10/2013 18:59

Pretty sure he has pleaded not guilty and the trial isn't until next year...

ilovesooty · 20/10/2013 18:59

It's a good thing Lewis Carroll isn't around today or no one would be allowed to read Alice in Wonderland either.

ilovesooty · 20/10/2013 19:00

He's pleaded not guilty and the trial isn't till April.

BurlyShassey · 20/10/2013 19:01

Know what you mean, DC and I do a lot of arts and crafts and I always used to say ''can you tell what it is yet?'' in my RH voice, and now I just feel uncomfortable about it Sad

also I love the gg xmas song, its on complitaion cd I have and never know wether to play it or not.

no answer for you, op, just empathising!

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/10/2013 19:02

Oh for gods sake.

No there is nothing wrong with singing the song to her. She'll associate it with you regardless of whether RH is eventually convicted or not.

Fairly sure people still listen to Gary Glitter as well. May well not actually purchase his music but he was around for a long time before it came to light he is a paedophile. His music is likely to be lurking in many a music collection.

Iamsparklyknickers · 20/10/2013 19:03

I would say the connotations lie purely with the fact RH sang it and it's so widely associated with him. In fairness I can only imagine it sang with an aussie accent so would be looking for other versions to help iron that out in my case.

The song itself is lovely - it's just anyone above 20 will probably always make that connection and do a bit of Hmm'ing when they hear it.

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 20/10/2013 19:07

It was written 28 years before RH was even born.

Stop hanging the man before his trial would you?!

SirChenjin · 20/10/2013 19:10

My DM used to sing this to my DS and I when we were little - I have very fond memories of us sitting on her knee listening to this song. Even the RH associations can't spoil it for me, so I wouldn't even give that a second thought.

DaleyBump · 20/10/2013 19:17

I had the same concerns as you, OP. My mum used to sing it to me and I sing it to my bump (silly, I know) but I figure that since it was around before RH sang it, it's not a problem.

Caitlin17 · 20/10/2013 19:31

Re Lewis Carroll, I don't think he actually did anything. There is a photograph of Alice Liddell dressed as a beggar girl which doesn't really show much flesh but which with the benefit of hindsight looks a bit questionable now.

HopeS01 · 20/10/2013 19:34

I love the song, and I'll sing it to my little boy. I wouldn't worry OP

MetellaEstMater · 20/10/2013 19:34

Caitlin - check out the portrait by Carroll on his Wikipedia page. I'm actually surprised it is on there.

HopeS01 · 20/10/2013 19:38

Metella I just had a look... Hmm

Mymumsfurcoat · 20/10/2013 19:40

I love the song, I would sing it to my DDs if they would let me. But the 2 year old much prefers The Welly Boot Song by Billy Connolly Grin

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/10/2013 19:47

There's a good Guardian article about Lewis Carroll
gu.com/p/xv3jv
'He had impure thoughts, yes. What matters, in the end, is what he did with them."

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/10/2013 19:47

Bugger. gu.com/p/xv3jv