Pop! Goes the Weasel

Lyrics

(Folk song)

1. All around the cobbler’s bench
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought ’twas all in fun.
Pop! Goes the weasel!

2. Johnny’s got the whooping cough and
Mary’s got the measles
That’s the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel!

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

4. I’ve no time to plead and pine,
I’ve no time to wheedle,
Kiss me quick and then I’m gone.
Pop! Goes the weasel.

Dance / Play Party

Formation: Partners stand in rows facing each other, about four feet between them.

Verse 1: Head couple skip four skips down and four skips back, each behind his line. Then, joining inside hands, they skip four skips down between the rows, turn, change hands, and skip four skips back.

Verse 2: Keeping hands joined, the head couple makes a circle of three with one of the partners next in line. These three skip counter-clockwise eight skips, then clockwise four skips. On “Pop!” the partner next in line pops back to their original place, under the arms of the head couple.

Verse 3: Head couple circles with the other partner next in line (first eight measures). Head couple is now at the foot. They skip up and back outside and up the middle and back ending at the foot. Re­peat with the second couple at the head. (source)

See also

YouTube

  • Song with chords in 2 keys (PDF)
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the song

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1 thought on “Pop! Goes the Weasel”

  1. A set dance? I never would have thought it. What a great way to use this song with your older students. Once I can get passed the “ew, we’re touching” bit, I think they would have a blast. Oh! And they could share the dance with the little bitties who are singing the song to experience “swaying/swinging music.”

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