Pop goes the weasel Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history Half a pound of tuppenny rice, Half a pound of treacle. That’s the way the money goes, Pop! goes the weasel. Up and down the City road, In and out the Eagle, That’s the way the money goes, Pop! goes the weasel.
Alternative Lyrics A penny for a spool of thread, A penny for a needle. That’s the way the money goes, Pop! goes the weasel. "A penny for a spool of thread, a penny for a needle" - this version has led to a 'weasel' being interpreted as a shuttle or bobbin, as used by silk weavers, being pawned in a similar way as the suits or jackets owned by the Cockneys. Alternative Lyrics (2)* Every night when I go out The monkey's on the table Take a stick and knock it off Pop goes the weasel *Alternative Lyrics (2) Our thanks go to Robert Creed and his family for this verse and interpretation of the lyrics - A 'monkey' is Cockney rhyming slang for £500. Robert also suggests that weasel was a type of iron used by tailors, so the rhyme relates to them pawning the tools of their trade in order to be able to go to the pub. Alternative Lyrics (3)* Round and round the mulberry bush The monkey chased the weasel. The monkey stopped to pull up his socks And Pop goes the weasel. *Alternative Lyrics (3) Our thanks go to Jesse from Perth, Western Australia for these lyrics, which seem to be in combination with another children's song 'Here we go round the mulberry bush'. Lee speculates that if a monkey is £500, then perhaps the coat and money are being exchanged back and forth until something else comes up. Thanks also to K. Saul for reminding me that the line "That's the way the money goes' was often replaced with "Mix it up, and make it nice" especially when the first verse of the rhyme was repeated Additional Lyrics (4)* I've no time to plead and pine I've no time to wheedle Kiss me quick, and then I'm gone Pop! Goes the weasel" Additional Lyrics (4) - We love the words to this additional verse, supplied by Kim - Thanks Kim! Alternative Lyrics (5)* All around the cobbler's Bench The monkey chased the weasel. The monkey thought it all in fun, Pop, goes the weasel. Alternative Lyrics (5) More alternative words, supplied by Stanley Walker from Pennsylvania - Thanks Stanley! Alternative meaning to the words of Pop goes the Weasel Please click the above link for an article by Judith Pfeiffer, an Archivist at the Warren County Heritage Society Pop goes the weasel Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history |