You know the tune. It’s usually sung by a toddler wearing bright yellow rain boots while splashing in a puddle. It sounds innocent, right? It's raining it's pouring is one of those rhythmic staples of childhood that feels as permanent as gravity. But if you actually stop and listen to the lyrics—really listen—it’s kind of a nightmare.
The old man is snoring. He goes to bed. He bumps his head. And then? He couldn't get up in the morning. Honestly, it’s a bit morbid for a three-year-old’s playgroup. While most people just see it as a cute weather song, folk historians and medical experts have spent decades debating whether this rhyme is actually a cautionary tale about traumatic brain injuries or just a silly bit of nonsense from the early 20th century.
Where did It's Raining It's Pouring actually come from?
Most people assume these songs go back to the Middle Ages. We love to imagine plague victims or royal scandals being coded into every nursery rhyme. But with this one, the paper trail is actually much shorter.
The first recorded version of the lyrics we recognize today didn't show up until around 1939. It was collected by Ruth Crawford Seeger—a massive figure in American folk music and, interestingly, the stepmother of Pete Seeger. She included it in her book American Folk Songs for Children.
Before that, there were fragments. In 1912, there was a recorded version of a similar rhyme in the United States, but it wasn't exactly the "pouring/snoring" combo we know. The rhyme seems uniquely American, unlike Ring Around the Rosie or London Bridge, which have deep European roots. It likely bubbled up through oral tradition in the late 19th century before finally getting pinned down on paper during the Great Depression era.
The concussion theory: Is it actually about a subdural hematoma?
Let’s talk about the "old man."
He bumps his head. Then he "couldn't get up in the morning." To a kid, that sounds like he's just a sleepyhead. He’s taking a long nap because it’s a rainy day. But if you talk to a neurologist or anyone who has worked in an ER, those lyrics describe a classic traumatic brain injury (TBI).
✨ Don't miss: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
Specifically, many people point toward a subdural hematoma. This happens when a head injury causes blood to collect on the surface of the brain. Often, the person seems fine right after the bump—this is known as a "lucid interval." They go to bed, thinking they’ll sleep it off. But because the brain is bleeding, they never wake up.
Is that what the song is about? Some folklore experts, like those at the Library of Congress folk life center, argue that we shouldn't over-analyze it. They think it’s just a rhyme that fits the meter. But the medical community has semi-ironically adopted it. In fact, some medical journals have referenced the rhyme when discussing the importance of monitoring patients after a head strike. If you "bump your head," you shouldn't just "go to bed" without someone checking on you.
Decoding the "Old Man"
Who is this guy? Why is he snoring so loud while it's pouring?
There is no specific historical figure tied to the old man. He isn't a king or a failed politician. In folk music, "the old man" is often a placeholder for the "everyman" or perhaps a symbol of the previous generation's fragility.
Interestingly, some variations of the song change the ending. In some versions, he "stayed in bed 'til the morning." That’s much more optimistic. It suggests he was just resting. But the version that stuck—the one that really resonates in the cultural subconscious—is the one where he couldn't get up.
The contrast is jarring. You have the upbeat, sing-song melody of a major key paired with the implication of a fatal injury. This is a hallmark of the genre. Nursery rhymes are often used to process trauma or explain the unexplainable to children in a way that’s rhythmic and easy to remember.
🔗 Read more: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
Regional Variations and Modern Changes
While the Seeger version is the gold standard, you’ll hear different tweaks depending on where you are.
- The "Rainy Day" version: Some teachers change the ending to "He woke up in the morning" to avoid scaring the kids.
- The "London" influence: Even though it’s American, some British versions swap "pouring" for "raining" and add extra verses about the "old man of Tobago."
- The Snoring element: Some interpret the snoring itself as a sign of sleep apnea or even the "death rattle" associated with serious illness.
Why it still matters today
You might wonder why we are still singing about a guy hitting his head 80 years after the song was published.
It's about the rhythm. The song uses a trochaic tetrameter, which is basically just a fancy way of saying it has a "DA-dum, DA-dum, DA-dum" beat that mimics a heartbeat or a ticking clock. It’s incredibly easy for a developing brain to latch onto.
Beyond the brain development stuff, it serves as an early introduction to the concept of cause and effect. It’s raining (environment), he’s snoring (state of being), he bumps his head (accident), he can’t get up (consequence). It’s a tragedy in four short lines.
Dealing with the "Dark Side" of Nursery Rhymes
If you're a parent or an educator, you don't need to ban it's raining it's pouring just because it might be about a concussion. Most kids don't make the connection. To them, it’s just a song about weather.
However, it is a great "teachable moment" for older kids. You can use it to discuss how stories change over time. Or, if you’re feeling particularly educational, you can use it to talk about rain cycles and why we feel sleepy when the atmospheric pressure drops.
💡 You might also like: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
What to do next with this information
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of folk music or simply want to use this rhyme more effectively in a classroom or home setting, here are the most logical next steps.
First, check out the Ruth Crawford Seeger archives. Her work in preserving these songs is the only reason we have a standardized version of this rhyme. Her book American Folk Songs for Children is a goldmine of tunes that actually sound like real music, not the sterilized "kidz bop" stuff we hear today.
Second, if you’re using the rhyme to teach kids, consider pairing it with a simple science experiment about rain. Use a jar, some hot water, and ice on a lid to show how "pouring" actually happens. It moves the focus from the "old man" to the natural world.
Third, and most importantly, use the rhyme as a safety reminder. If a child actually bumps their head while playing, you can gently reference the song. "Remember the old man? We need to make sure you're okay so you can get up in the morning." It’s a way to make medical safety feel less scary and more like part of a story they already know.
Don't overthink the darkness. Folklore is supposed to be a little bit "kinda" weird. That’s why it sticks around for centuries while the polished, "safe" stuff gets forgotten in a week.