A Tisket-Tasket Podcast
A Tisket-Tasket Podcast is your gateway into the whimsical and often surprising world of nursery rhymes. Hosted by Gina Zimbardi, this podcast unpacks the rich history, folklore, and cultural impact of the rhymes we all grew up with. Each episode delves into the origins, evolution, and hidden meanings behind these timeless verses, exploring their connections to history, fashion, literature, and even politics. With expert insights, archival recordings, and lively storytelling, A Tisket-Tasket brings new life to old rhymes, proving that even the simplest childhood chants have fascinating stories to tell. Whether you're a folklore enthusiast, history buff, or just curious about the songs of your childhood, this podcast invites you to listen, learn, and rediscover the magic of nursery rhymes.
Episodes
72 episodes
Season 3: Episode 16 - Muddy Jim & Progressive Era Health Nursery Rhymes
In this episode of A Tisket-Tasket Podcast, host Gina Zimbardi returns after a long break to discuss her research presented at the American Folklore Conference in 2025. The focus of her presentation is on the 1940 book 'Mother Goose’s Safety Rh...
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43:28
Season 3: Episode 14 - Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross
In this episode of the "A Tisket-Tasket" podcast, host Gina explores the enchanting nursery rhyme "Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross." Delving into its rich history, origins, and various interpretations, she uncovers the rhyme's connections to...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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18:16
Season 3: Epsiode 13 - Naughty Baby
In this episode of A Tisket-Tasket, Gina unpacks the dark and fascinating history of the nursery rhyme Naughty Baby, a lullaby that uses fear—and Napoleon Bonaparte—as a disciplinary tool. From its roots in 19th-century Britis...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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14:10
Season 3: Episode 12 - Great A, Little A
In this episode of the 'A Tisket-Tasket' podcast, hosted by Gina, the focus is on the nursery rhyme 'Great A, Little A, Bouncing B,' which has deep roots in the history of children's literature. Gina explores the contributions of key historical...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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17:20
Season 3: Episode 11 - New Orleans Jazz Funerals
In this special episode of 'A Tisket Tasket' podcast, host Gina explores the rich history and cultural significance of the New Orleans Jazz Funeral Procession. Dedicated to her friend Janet, Gina delves into the origins and rituals of this uniq...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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29:47
Season 3: Episode 10 - BINGO
Unveiling the History of 'Bingo': A Timeless Folk SongJoin host Gina on the Tisket-Tasket podcast as she delves into the origins, meanings, and cultural impact of the beloved nursery rhyme 'Bingo.' Discover the song's surprising roots i...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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12:57
Season 3: Episode 9 - Daisy Bell (or a Bicycle Built for Two)
In this episode of the A Tisket-Tasket Podcast, host Gina explores the rich history of the song 'Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)'. Initially composed in 1892 by Harry Dacer, this Victorian-era tune became a cultural phenomenon. The episode d...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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17:14
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Special Birthday Epsiode! Gina's thoughts: Opie's, Brother's Grimm, and Julia Bishop
In this episode, host Gina explores the legacy of Iona and Peter Opie, pioneers in the study of children’s folklore, and how contemporary scholars are bringing their groundbreaking work into the 21st century. We discuss how scholars like ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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23:27
Season 3 Episode 7 - Cock-A-Doodle-Doo
Join Gina in this episode of the Tisket Tasket podcast as she delves into the fascinating history and deeper meanings of the nursery rhyme 'Cock a doodle doo.' Discover the song's origins, significant references in 1606 publications, and variou...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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12:08
Season 3 Episode 6 - One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
In this episode of the 'Tisket Tasket Podcast,' host Gina delves into the rich history and cultural significance of the nursery rhyme '1, 2, Buckle My Shoe.' Exploring its origins from early 19th-century publications to its widespread popularit...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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13:45
Season 3: Episode 5 - Blow the Man Down
In this podcast episode, host Gina explores the fascinating history and cultural context of the sea shanty 'Blow the Man Down.' Despite not being a traditional nursery rhyme, this shanty often appears in children's programming. Sea shanties, ri...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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18:42
Season 3: Episode 4 - Ants Go Marching / When Johnny Goes Marching Home
In this episode of A Tisket-Tasket Podcast, host Gina dives into the fascinating story behind the children's nursery rhyme 'The Ants Go Marching.' Discover how this playful tune traces its roots back to the American Civil War with the s...
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17:32
Season 3: Episode 3 - Apples & Bananas
Exploring the Fun of Apples and Bananas Nursery Rhyme | A Tisket-Tasket Podcast S3 E3 | atiskettasketpodcast.comJoin Gina in Season 3, Episode 3 of the Task at Podcast, where she dives into the whimsical world of the 'Apples and Bananas...
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9:42
Season 3: Episode 0 - Happy New Year 2025! State of the Podcast!
Episode Description: Happy New Year and Exciting UpdatesWelcome to 2025! It’s been a while since my last update, but this podcast is far from abandoned. In this episode, I share the highlights of my journey over the past few month...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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4:44
Season 2 Bonus Content - Four Functions of Folklore Discussion & Review of 1954 Bascom Article
🎙️ Dive deep into the fascinating world of folklore with host Gina in this episode of "A Tisket-Tasket Podcast." Gina reviews an insightful article by renowned folklorist William Bascom on the functions of folklore, exploring its social context...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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31:09
Season 2, Episode 8: Five Little Ducks
🎙️ Dive into the enchanting world of nursery rhymes with A Tisket-Tasket podcast hosted by Gina! 🦆 In this episode, Gina explores the delightful rhyme "Five Little Ducks," taking you through its history, origins, and the fascinating story behin...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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9:05
Season 2: Episode 7: 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
In this podcast episode, Gina delves into the intriguing history of the nursery rhyme "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." While exploring various versions of the rhyme, she highlights its cautionary theme for parents and children. Gina un...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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31:34
Season 2: Episode 6 - Steve Roud Interview Part 2
Dive into the enchanting world of folk songs and nursery rhymes in the latest episode of A Tisket-Tasket Podcast with your host Gina! In an engaging conversation with renowned folklorist Steve Roud, creator of the Roud Folk Song Index, Gina exp...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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26:15
Season 2: Episode 5 - Interview with Steve Roud Part 1
In this fascinating "A Tisket-Tasket" episode, renowned folklorist and historian Steve Roud engages in a captivating conversation with host Gina about his extensive work on folk songs, nursery rhymes, and the intricacies of folklore. With a car...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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40:05
Season 2: Episode 4 - Hush Little Baby
Embark on a musical journey through time with the latest episode of "A Tisket-Tasket Podcast," where host Gina unravels the captivating history of the beloved nursery rhyme, "Hush Little Baby." From surprising origins to diverse interpretations...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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27:52
Season 2: Epsiode 3 - Bye Baby Bunting
Embark on an enchanting journey through nursery rhyme history with Gina, the charismatic host of the "A Tisket-Tasket" podcast, in this captivating episode dedicated to the classic lullaby "Bye Baby Bunting." Unveiling the rhyme's origins, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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19:14
Season 2, Episode 2: Monday's Child
In this episode of the A Tisket-Tasket podcast, host Gina delves into the history and significance of the nursery rhyme "Monday's Child." Exploring its origins and superstitious elements, Gina discusses how the rhyme, collected by John Orchard ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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14:34
Season 2, Episode 1: A New Year's Introduction
Gina, the host of the "A Tisket-Tasket" podcast, kicks off Season 2 with an introduction episode. Despite battling bronchitis, she recaps the highlights of the past year, including episodes on nursery rhyme origins, historical facts, and themed...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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8:45