You are most likely wondering why the song 'Ring Around the Rosie' is played on our site. And yes, it does have a connection with diseases. Take a look! Maybe after you check out the interesting origin of the song, you'll understand. (You may know the song as Ring a ring o' Roses) Ring Around the Rosie is a nursery rhyme or folk song. The origin dates back to 1661, when many people caught the Great Plague of London. The first line: "Ring around the Rosie" means a red rash, which occurred on plague victims. The second line, "Pocket Full of Posies" means that sometimes plague victims put something sweet-smelling in their pockets to hide the smell of dead people. "Ashes, Ashes" means that people burned dead people. It was known then as A-tishoo, A-tishoo which is sneezing right before death. "We all fall down" means that we die because of the plague. Here are the lyrics that were first sung: Ring Around the Rosie, Pocket full of Posies, A-tishoo, A-tishoo, We all fall down! Most people sing this version: Ring Around the Rosie Pocket full of Posies Ashes, Ashes We all fall down!