Nursey Songs Origination

Annahickson | 12:06 Wed 23rd Apr 2003 | Phrases & Sayings

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What are the origins of the nursery song 'The big ship sails on the alley alley o'

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Quizmonster

There is a suggestion that the song originated in Merseyside and it is possible, therefore, that the 'alley' - ie a narrow passageway - is a reference to the Manchester Ship Canal. On the other hand, during my childhood some 60 years ago, kids used to sing about the 'illey-alley-oh'. It may, therefore, just be a typical meaningless song-phrase like 'hey nonny-nonny-no' was in the olden days and have nothing whatever to do with alleys.

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