There was a Monkey
Nursery Rhyme
Lyrics, Origins and History

The Nursery Rhyme "There was a Monkey" is a poem about the life and times of the people of England.

Monkeys
There are no records regarding the first introduction of monkeys from North Africa to England but it seems certain that monkeys were brought back from the great Voyages of Discovery in the 1500's. They were probably presented at court for the amusement of Courtiers and Royalty. In the 1800's and 1900's monkeys and street musicians were a common site in the towns of England. Organ grinders would crank the handles of barrel organs and many would be accompanied by monkeys who were trained to collect money from the audience.

What was a Lackey?
The words of the Nursery Rhyme are ""There was a cobbler clouting shoon" and originated from liveried male servants, or footman, riding in horse races for their Masters.

What was 'clouting' and what was a 'shoon'?
The words of the Nursery Rhyme are ""There was a cobbler clouting shoon" . The word 'clouting means to plug a hole. The word 'shoon' comes from the plural of shoe. This was a common word in England and Scotland in the 1500's when nouns ending in vowels were frequently pluralized by adding an "n" instead of
an "s".

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There was a Monkey

Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

There was a monkey climbed up a tree;
When he fell down, then down fell he.

There was a crow sat on a stone;
When he was gone, then there was none.

There was an old wife did eat an apple;
When she had ate two, she had ate a couple.

There was a horse going to the mill;
When he went on, he stood not still.

There was a butcher cut his thumb;
When it did bleed, then blood did come.

There was a lackey ran a race;
When he ran fast, he ran apace.

There was a cobbler clouting shoon;
When they were mended, they were done.

There was a chandler making candle;
When he them strip, he did them handle.

There was a navy went into Spain;
When it returned it came again.

There was a Monkey

Nursery Rhyme lyrics, origins and history

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