Pop Goes the Weasel Lyrics

First published in England around 1853, this lively nursery rhyme was also a popular dance tune. The phrase 'pop goes the weasel' is thought to be Cockney rhyming slang, though children have enjoyed its surprise ending for generations. Best for ages 2–6. The signature "Pop!" provides one of the most reliably joyful surprise moments in any kids' song — toddlers learn to anticipate it, then squeal with delight every time. It's a model exercise in listening for cues, which is the same skill used in early instruction-following and reading. Pair with a jack-in-the-box for sensory matching. For more song-based listening play, see [best repetitive predictable stories](/blog/best-repetitive-predictable-stories).

All around the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The monkey thought 'twas all in fun,
Pop! goes the weasel.

A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle,
That's the way the money goes,
Pop! goes the weasel.

All around the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The monkey stopped to scratch his head,
Pop! goes the weasel.

Half a pound of tuppenny rice,
Half a pound of treacle,
Mix it up and make it nice,
Pop! goes the weasel.