Ring a Ring o' Roses, also known as Ring a Ring o' Rosie or Ring Around the Rosie, is the song featured in The Dark Pictures Anthology's second installment, Little Hope. It is a nursery rhyme, folk song, and playground game popular in Europe.
The exact origin of the rhyme remains unknown, but it first appeared in the mid-19th century, although some records date from decades earlier. Ring a Ring o' Roses is common in England, while in other European countries, such as Germany, Italy and Sweden, different rhymes are popular, although their lyrics are roughly similar. Little Hope features slightly modified classic English version.
One of the most popular interpretations of the rhyme (though not official) links it to the Great Plague of London or to earlier outbreaks of the bubonic plague in England. The lyrics were thought to refer to the rash and coughing or sneezing as symptoms of the plague, posies of herbs that were used to ward off the stench and subsequent death from the disease. The American version Ring Around the Rosie was also thought to refer to cremating bodies and burning of victims' homes in order to prevent infection.
Lyrics[]
Trivia[]
- Ring a Ring o' Roses is heard twice in the game:
- In Playing Tricks, Andrew and Angela hear it when approaching the bonfire.
- Although not in the game itself, it is featured in Little Hope's launch trailer.
- It is suggested that Mary played Ring a Ring o' Roses by herself at the bonfire and later invited Andrew and Angela to join the game.
- Ring a Ring o' Roses in the game was performed by Mary's voice actress, Holly Smith.
- The Great Plague of London, to which the rhyme is thought to refer, took place in 1665-1666, not far from the Little Hope witch trials in 1692.
- Some theories from the late 19th century suggest that Ring a Ring o' Roses may have pagan origins, fitting the game theme of witchcraft. It also explains why Amy scolded Mary for playing it.
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