Pop! Goes the Weasel is a 19th-century English traditional song associated with music hall and street dance traditions in London. The tune circulated widely in Britain before spreading to the United States, where it became part of children’s and folk song repertoires. The song has been recorded and adapted by performers including Burl Ives, Lead Belly, and The Weavers. This performance is presented as acoustic folk. Details: – Song: Pop! Goes the Weasel – English traditional – Approximate origin: 19th century, London – Acoustic folk performance by Jason Paul
Jason Paul · The song collection19th Century
Pop! Goes the Weasel
The performance
2 recordingsPerformance 1
Pop! Goes the Weasel [19th Century] – English Traditional | Jason Paul, acoustic folk
March 12, 2026
Lyrics and chords
verse 1
EAll aBround the Ecobblers bench
the monkey Bchased the Eweasel
the monkey Bthought ‘twas Eall in C#m7fun
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mI’ve no time to G#mwait and sigh
No C#mpatience to wait till G#mby’n by
So F#mkiss me quick, I’m off, goodbye
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel.
verse 2
EA nickel Bfor a Espool of thread
A penny Bfor a Eneedle
That’s the way Bthe monEey C#m7goes
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mYou may try to G#msew and sew
And C#mnever make something G#mregal
So F#mtill it up and let it go
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
verse 3
EI went Bto a Elawyer today
For something Bvery Elegal
He asked how Bmuch Im Ewilling to C#m7pay
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mI will bargain G#mall my days
But C#mnever again so G#mfeeble
I F#mpaid for every legal phrase
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
verse 4
EA painter Bwould his Elover to paint
He stood beBfore the Eeasel
A monkey Bjumped all Eover the C#m7paint
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mWhen his lover G#mshe did laugh
His C#mtemper got very G#mlethal
He F#m7tore the painting up in half
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
verse 5
EI went Bhunting Eup in the woods
It wasn’t Bvery Elegal
The dog and BI were Ecaught when the C#m7goods
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mI said I don’t G#mhunt or sport
The C#mwarden looked at my G#mbeagle
He F#m7said to tell it to the court
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
verse 6
EMy son Band I we Ewent to the fair
And there were Blots of Epeople
We spent a Blot of Emoney, I C#m7swear
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mI got sick from G#mall the sun
My C#mSonny boy got the G#mmeasels
But F#mstill we had a lot of fun
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
verse 7
EI went Bup and down Eon the coast
To find a Bgolden Eeagle
I climbed the Brocks and Ethought I was C#m7close
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mBut alas I G#mlost my way
Saw C#mnothing but just a G#msea gull
I F#m7tore my pants and killed the day
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
verse 8
EI went Bto the Egrocery store
I thought a Blittle Echeese’ll
Be good to Bcatch a Emouse in the C#m7floor
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel
C#mBut the mouse G#mwas very bright
He C#mwasn’t a mouse to G#mwheedle
He F#mtook the cheese an said “good night”
F#m7Pop B7goes the Eweasel