<P> Ring a ring a Rosie, A bottle full of posie, All the girls in our town Ring for little Josie . </P> <P> Newell writes that' (a) t the end of the words the children suddenly stoop, and the last to get down undergoes some penalty, or has to take the place of the child in the centre, who represents the "rosie" (rose - tree; French, rosier).' </P> <P> An 1883 collection of Shropshire folk - lore includes the following version: </P> <P> A ring, a ring o' roses, A pocket - full o' posies; One for Jack and one for Jim and one for little Moses! A-tisha! a-tisha! a-tisha! </P>

What is the origin of ring a ring a roses