Parents are always looking for an activity they can do with their kids that will span from the time they are babies through the toddler years that will engage them and help them grow and develop. One of the most popular tools is using nursery rhymes. This introduces babies and children to the art of storytelling and can help boost the language development in young children. It is believed that children that will go on to become good readers will have a love of listening to speech and a love for hearing stories and nursery rhymes. One of the most popular and common nursery rhymes parents often turn to is the fun and exciting song, “Pop! Goes The Weasel”.
History of the Song
This song began as an Old English dance song, performed for Her Majesty and other nobles at balls, but the only words were “Pop! Goes the weasel.”. As the song got more popular and began to be featured in stage performances and dance halls, words were added. It was listed in 1855 inside a pamphlet for the Church of England where it was described as a universally popular song that was often played on streets and in clubs but contained senseless lyrics. It was suggested that an alternative version with more wholesome words be used. As the song migrated across the ocean to America, it seems that advice was taken. The words were altered to the rhyme most of us today know.
The Meaning Behind The Words
As with many nursery rhymes, this one seems like it may have a bit of a dark history. The phrase “pop goes the weasel” means to pawn your coat. In the 1800s, decent clothing was made by hand which made it expensive and easy to pawn. The monkey on the table was slang for the rent collector. When put together in a song, it means one had to pawn their good coat in order to pay the rent and keep a roof over their head. While it is easy to put this slang together, it is important that people of the time claimed the song was nonsense.
The Singing Game
British children have played a lovely game including this rhyme since the late 19th century. It is quite similar to musical chairs, but uses rings. As the song is sung, children dance round and form rings, when the line “Pop! Goes the weasel” is sung, everyone has to rush to form a new ring before everyone else. The person who is left out is eliminated and the number of rings is reduced by one until there is only one person left to play the game, that person is the winner. Like many other games similar to this, this song creates a social opportunity for children, allows them to learn to play a game, memorize lyrics and have fun.
While the song may have a bit of a dark and confusing past, it is still a fun rhyme to sing to children. It can be performed similar to a game of peek-a-boo when it comes time to sing “pop goes the weasel“, which will make babies and children laugh and smile, creating a social bonding moment as well as a time to listen to and learn speech.