Run Rabbit Run

Story

This song encourages a rabbit to run away from the farmer, who wants to eat the rabbit for dinner.

Why we chose it

Run Rabbit Run was one of the songs featured in the Nursery Rhyme room in our Time for Bed exhibition.

Where it came from

This nursery rhyme was originally written for the show The Little Dog Laughed during a time when a lot of London’s theatres were closed due to the Second World War. It was written for Flanagan and Allen, a British comedic double act.

Where it went next

It was an exceedingly popular song throughout wartime, and it is said that it was one of Churchill’s favourites and he would be often caught singing it.

Associated stories

This song has turned up in a lot of popular culture such as Bugs Bunny, the film Get Out and the TV show Outlander. It is often added to form a creepy edge to horror movies.