The mulberry bush that inspired the nursery rhymes has new life

A mulberry bush believed to have inspired the famous nursery rhyme has been reborn in a new home.

Historians believe the rhyme Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush refers to a tree that grew deep in one of Britain’s most notorious prisons – Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire – until a few years ago.

The story is that female prisoners at the prison used to sing the song while exercising around the mulberry bush that was planted in the yard about 200 years ago but died and was removed in 2019.

Cuttings were taken from the old plant and donated to the nearby Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP).

On Thursday, the park said a cutting was planted on the 500-acre site after horticulturists deemed it hardy and established enough to survive.

Mark Chesman, head of estates at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, said: “After it was originally planted within the prison walls, female prisoners are said to have danced around the tree for warmth and invented the rhyme to entertain their children.

“We feel extremely privileged to have been given the opportunity to save such an important part of our heritage that could have been lost forever without the hard work and dedication of our team.

“It is very fitting that YSP is the home for this precious plant.”

A special planting ceremony was held on Thursday, a short walk from the Learning Center at YSP, for the aging mulberry bush, along with the unveiling of a plaque to inform visitors of its heritage.

Wakefield Prison was originally built in 1594 and housed some of Britain’s most famous prisoners.