A lot of those stories where violent b/c they where made up by adults. Most where made b/c you weren't a loud to talk openly about politics and religion, like we do today, without fear of getting your head cut off. Three Blind Mice is actually a political poem. Ring Around the Rosie is about the plague. Seriously do some research on those old rhymes and stories..you'd be surprised what you will find out.
Good art work BTW...