Rain rain go away,
Come again another day.
Little Johnny wants to play;
Rain, rain, go to Spain,
Never show your face again!

The origin of this rhyme goes back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I. During her reign (1533-1603) constant rivalry prevailed between the two countries England and Spain.

Spanish Armada was launched in 1588, to invade England! It consisted of more than 130 ships and was led by Duke Medina Sedonia.

The English fleet was much smaller and had merely 34 small Navy vessels and 163 armed merchant ships. It was led by Admiral Lord Howard.

Despite the odds, the smaller and swifter English fleet defeated the larger and stronger Spanish fleet!

This miracle was made possible by the stormy weather prevailing at that time, which scattered the larger and slower Armada fleet. Only 65 Spanish ships and 10,000 men returned alive to Spain!

Hence the popular rhyme commanding the rain to go to Spain, and never show its face again!

Visalakshi Ramani