To be furious over 'ba ba spotty sheep'

[Littlesmiler]

As the title really! My DD started school nursery in September, and this past week, when she has been at home and singing nursery rhymes with us, she's been singing baa baa spotty sheep as opposed to black sheep.

We have always sang the 'black sheep' version as it's what myself and DP learned when we were little and as it is the 'proper' version. All the family sing the classic version also, as is traditional. So the only place that's singing this ridiculous version is school.

I just can't believe they're changing a kiddy nursery rhyme that's been around for god knows how long, as someone somewhere has deemed it inappropriate? I'd love to know why- as black sheep are an actual thing! Would it be the same if it was 'white sheep'? Probably not.

Just so annoyed, probably being irrational as I've had the implant out after 3 years and having my first visit from Mother Nature 🙈

AIBU to just want classic nursery rhymes to stay as the classic version??

It's not done in the name of political correctness, it's done because toddlers (like Tom Lehrer's satire of folk music fans) are of the opinion that ten verses of a bad song are better than one verse of a bad song.

Ah yes, the wheels on the bus all over again....................

TheGruffaloMother it was a thing though at my school. I was there and witnessed it!! I'm only 26 so not even that long ago!

NotYoda

I'm out in the countryside right now and keeping my eyes peeled for spotty sheep

Here's my version of miss muffet.

Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet eating her curds and whey.
Along came a spider who sat down beside her and said
"what's in the bowl bitch?"

Op, should complain about some body I used to know lyrics ( gotye) because that is a baa baa black sheep. It an acceptable.

What has the world come too

It's probably more to do with the saying 'black sheep of the family' to denote someone bad, wrong or unacceptable.

How did I write too instead of to. I must be lolling at this thread too much!

quencher if you really must know my mother is South African and my dads irish. So I think I'll say what I like, seeing as I'm a 'half cast leprechaun'. My DP is a white Brit. In answer to all your questions I don't read the daily shite no. Just genuinely puzzled by why things have changed so much. As to all you people taking the piss well it's clearly all close to your forethinking instantly jumping to racism. Pot, kettle, black (how ironic and suitably fitting!!!!)

At our nursery it's

^Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep
Have you any spots?
Yes sir, yes sir, I have lots.
One on my finger, one on my thumb,
One on my belly button,
One on my bum!^

My kids think it's absolutely hilarious

I agree times move on - I think they should introduce more modern political protest songs to toddlers these day. Maybe the VAT rather than wool taxes?

Come on now - with words like inappropriate and offence, I think we all know what you were implying, OP. Don't be coy.

And with this:

"I'd love to know why- as black sheep are an actual thing! Would it be the same if it was 'white sheep'? Probably not"

You really shot your wad

NotYoda hahaha LOLOLOLOL go on what am I implying?! Let's hear it hey? When did I use those words? Erm... I didn't! You did!!! See now let's be honest, I'm black & Irish, with a white partner. So let's see.. it can't be racism or I'm shooting myself in the foot. So tell me, what Am I implying???? That I'm pissed that tradition is being screwed? If it's at the front of YOUR mind then it's YOUR thoughts. Waaaaaaaaaay

OP: AIBU?
MN: Yes
OP: I'll say what I want

Blimey

Oh yeah I'm racist. Having received racism most of my life, I think I'll join in and pick my own backside? OF COURSE, WHERE DO I SIGN?

It is ridiculous. It is as ridiculous as making teachers say chalk board instead of black board and not being PC using the word black bag ffs!!!!
It is black, it is a board. It is black, it is a bag. I don't hear anyone complain about calling it the white board. I mean really. Its the principle. Why should you not use the word black when It has NOTHING to do with race.

My favourite reworking of 'Mary, Mary' is short :

Mary had a little lamb.
The doctor fainted.

Baaa humbug to all people with no sense of fun, be it the (few) who unnecessarily bowdlerise nursery rhymes, or those who overreact to variations.

The one updating I really do like is that sometimes Miss Polly's doctor comes with her hat and her bag

neveradullmoment99 EXACTLY. My point. But all the little mumsnet sheep love to accuse, pinpoint and assume. nothing more than playground bullies

I just can't believe they're changing a kiddy nursery rhyme that's been around for god knows how long, as someone somewhere has deemed it inappropriate

well yes that would be awful - if it where true - evidence would probably be needed to back that statement up though ...

I am literally so angry and furious about this that I keep bursting into tears. I just don't recognise this country any more. I'm incandescent with absolute rage. So so angry.

Well the evidence is in my 3 yr old screaming it from the bloody rooftops!!!

Did I mention I am practising my daily mail sad face?

This is political correctness gone mad.

Mary had a little lamb
Her father shot it dead
And now it goes to school with her
Between two lumps of bread.

that should contain a trigger warning for the easily offended.

How about:

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jill forgot to take the pill
And now they've have a daughter.

On second throughts, scrap daughter and substitute gender neutral