Thank for that link 'Spaw - now I've got to hear it sung. Good words, and, now I've seen the words, I think my instinct about the meaning of what the nursery rhymes are there to say is reinforced.

I was clearing out an airing cupboard yesterday for a new boiler we're having put in, and next to where I'm writing, there is a basket full of some of my son's old toy rabbits and bears from long long ago that were at the back. He dropped in for a visit this evening, and picked one up - "that's George" he said in a pleased voice. "and here's that dog I used to pretend was a rabbit."

You made the right choice 'Spaw.