Episode 230: Black Week

Nursery rhymes, with their seemingly innocent melodies and simple lyrics, can be unnerving because of the unsettling darkness often lurking beneath their surface. Many of these songs were originally written with grim historical context or morbid themes, their cheerful tunes masking tales of death, violence, and suffering. The juxtaposition of childhood innocence with disturbing content creates an eerie sense of unease, making us question the true meaning behind these familiar, repetitive verses. When heard in the quiet of the night or in a setting stripped of comfort, their haunting simplicity takes on a sinister edge.