Jack and Jill went up the hill ?

[whiffey]

Why would you dig a well on the top of a hill ? Wouldn't it make loads more sense to dig it at the bottom. All I can think of is that the hill might be at the side of a river so there'd be water underneath.

I'm bored, stuck here till 5.

[Champagne]

Maybe the well was on the other side of the hill and that was the quickest route. After all, it says nothing about them actually reaching the well, does it?

They were both drunk anyway. Serves 'em right if you ask me.

[dot.hawkes]

The roots of the story, or poem, of Jack and Jill are in France. Jack and Jill referred to are said to be King Louis XVI - Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Jill - (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics to the Jack and Jill poem were made more acceptable as a story for children by providing a happy ending! The actual beheadings occurred in during the Reign of Terror in 1793. The first publication date for the lyrics of Jack and Jill rhyme is 1795 - which ties-in with the history and origins. The Jack and Jill poem is also known as Jack and Gill - the mis-spelling of Gill is not uncommon in nursery rhymes as they are usually passed from generation to generation by word of mouth.

[45703]

A chalk hill will soak the water up also the water is less contaminated higher up the hill so not a bad place for a well. roll on 5.30!

[burnhal]

and talking about wells dug on top of hils- most castles are stuck on top of hills and have wells!

[sg]

A love of shafts, and shafting?
By which I mean if it was at the bottom, it would be a pond.
hmm

[Octavius]

The rhyme doesn't mention a well does it?

Perhaps there was a hosepipe or some complicated irrigation system involved? Or maybe some silly sausage had filled the pail at the bottom then carried to the top? It's a mystery.

[Champagne]

Wow Dot! I always thought that Jack & Jill were a pair of scallywags who used the bucket of water as an excuse for a bit of 'ows yer father. I was way off on this one!!

[Champagne]

The pail water shop was located atop a hill?

[Loosehead]

There are literally hundreds of farms called "springhill" farm, coincidence, I think not.

[whiffey]

Good point Octavius, there is no mention of them taking the pail up with them, maybe it was already there.

Dot, that was quick ! Where does the pail of water fit in with your French Revolutionary analogy ? The guillotine basket filled with blood possibly, but more likely it would have dribbled through the weft all over Madame Defarge.

[Mamhus]

Pointless quistion

[Sherry1]

Wow dot what an amazing answer I didn't know any of that... like Champagne I assumed a completely different reason for the stroll up the hill
x

[spaced]

personally, I coulndt give a "donald duck" ;-)

[whiffey]

Good grief - someone thought to ban this !