Pop! Goes The Weasel
Song of the Month · 2014
Downloads
This traditional nursery rhyme is great fun, and is my go-to song for singing with a parachute. It was first published in the 1850's, and has many variations in lyrics. I sing with children and adults (if they are available!) while walking around holding a play parachute. We place a light-weight ball (blow-up beach ball) in the center and on 'Pop' we toss it into the air. Kids can do this over and over! Of course you can also hold hands, walk in a circle, and just raise arms on the 'pop.' Below you'll find additional ideas for ways to sing the song with various ages. *There are several words children may be unfamiliar with, so be sure to talk about them before you sing (cobbler, weasel, spool )
Lyrics
All around the cobbler's bench the monkey chased the weasel
The monkey thought'twas all in fun
A penny for a spool of thread, a penny for a needle
That's the way the money goes
Fall Version: All Around the Patch
This great idea came for a librarian
at a workshop I did. Place an
orange ball, or even several orange
balloons in the parachute for
pumpkins.
All around the pumpkin patch,
We're looking for a pumpkin
This one looks so good to me,
UP goes the pumpkin!
Jack in the Box Version
One child can crouch down in a large box, with children singing and walking
in a circle around the box. On POP, the child pops up, like a jack in the box.
Continue, letting each child take a turn.
Version to use with Babies
Bounce a baby on your knee while you sing, and raise baby up on "Pop"
In addition to bouncing, you can lean baby left and right, front and back.
Free for any non-profit use. Please credit Nancy Stewart and link to nancymusic.com.