Most nursery rhymes have adult origins - reading a nursery rhyme and trying to understand the literal meaning of the words is nonsense.
"Hey rub a dub dub
Three men in a tub
The brewer, the baker, the candlestick-maker
They all sprung out of a rotten potato
An apple for the king
A pear for the queen
And a good toss over the Bowling green
The bowling green it was so high
It nearly tossed me over the sky
Sky, sky, let the cat die."
from Norman Iles book "Restored Nursery Rhymes"
"Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub" is a nursery rhyme that originated from the 14th century. The meaning of the rhyme is unclear and has been interpreted in various ways, with some suggesting it's simply a nonsensical rhyme, while others speculate it could refer to historical or biblical figures or have a deeper, hidden meaning.
The words are Rub a dub dub. Rub-a-dub-dub Three men in a tub, The butcher, the baker, the candle stick maker, If their boat had been stronger My story would have been longer. or Rub a dub dub, Three men in a tub, And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, The candlestick maker. Turn them out, knaves all three!
The three men in the tub were the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.
"Three Men in a Tub" is a popular nursery rhyme that dates back to the 1790s. It was first published in a book titled "Gammer Gurton's Garland" in 1810.
There are three men in a tub in the nursery rhyme "Rub-a-Dub-Dub."
Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Three Men in a Tub.
three men in a tub
Three Men in a Tub - 1938 was released on: USA: 26 March 1938 Denmark: 17 October 1966
The occupations of the three men in the tub are: butcher, baker, candlestick maker.
Glynis - 1963 Three Men in a Tub 1-1 was released on: USA: 25 September 1963
Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub
he butcher, the baker & the candle stick maker
The phrase "3 men in a tub" is from the nursery rhyme "Rub-a-dub-dub." It's about three men in a tub who go out to sea and encounter various mishaps. The origins and meaning of the rhyme are unclear, but it's a popular children's song.
The nursery rhyme you are referring to is "Rub-a-dub-dub." It begins with the line, "Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub, And who do you think they be?" The three men mentioned are the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.