Some experts suggest that the old woman is actually a "he". Yes, you read that right. The old woman referred to in the rhyme is a man, King George II to be exact. He was called "old woman" by his enemies because he started the fashion trend of wearing white powdered wigs.
The word "children" in the rhyme represented the members of the Parliament while the bed symbolized the Houses of Parliament. Just like in the rhyme, those members who did not follow or agreed with King George faced his (old woman's) wrath; they were "whipped...all soundly and sent... to bed!"
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Nursery rhymes and their dark side
PoesíaUnknowingly when we sing these nursery rhymes we engage our children with centuries-old tradition that seems harmless. Courtesy of The express Tribune
