Thriller planning: Oranges and Lemons

During the planning of a thriller, the group and I decided to incorporate a nursery rhyme into our idea.  We liked the idea of turning something innocent and childish into something dark and sinister.  A lot of other thrillers use this technique also so we thought it would be a good idea.

First we looked up several nursery rhymes and picked out the ones we felt went well with our idea.  Next we chose which nursery rhymes had a more sinister meaning to them and which sounded creepy when they were sung.  In the end we were left with one song, oranges and lemons.

Lyrics

"Oranges and lemons" say the bells of St. Clement's
"You owe me five farthings" say the bells of St. Martin's
"When will you pay me?" say the bells of Old Bailey
"When I grow rich" say the bells of Shoreditch
"When will that be?" say the bells of Stepney
"I do not know" say the great bells of Bow
"Here comes a candle to light you to bed
Here comes a chopper to chop off your head
Chip chop chip chop - the last man's dead."

We decided on oranges and lemons because of the story behind the words.  The song is about someone owing someone money and because they cannot pay it they are executed by beheading. Even though the tune is happy and bright the words are not which gives this nursery rhyme a mysterious and dark feeling to it. Perfect for a thriller.

By Bethany Smith.