Why the mouse ran up the clock?

Early clock movements were often made of apple wood, culled from the rich black Forest region of western Germany. Those old wooden clocks needed proper lubrication, and most clockmakers used ham or bacon grease. Mice, then, were drawn to the savory wooden gears and plates, which prompted the well known nursery rhyme.

Hickory Dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, two mice ran up the clock
The clock struck two, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, three mice ran up the clock
The clock struck three, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, four mice ran up the clock
The clock struck four, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, five mice ran up the clock
The clock struck five, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock

Oh dear, oh my, I really hate mice

Hickory dickory dock, five mice ran up the clock
The clock struck five, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, four mice ran up the clock
The clock struck four, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, three mice ran up the clock
The clock struck three, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, two mice ran up the clock
The clock struck two, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock

Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock