<P> The tune appears to have begun as dance music , to which words were later added . A music sheet acquired by the British Library in 1853 describes a dance , `` Pop ! Goes the Weasel '' , as `` An Old English Dance , as performed at Her Majesty 's & The Nobilities Balls , with the Original Music '' . It had a tune very similar to that used today but only the words `` Pop ! Goes the Weasel '' . The dance became extremely popular , and featured on stage as well as in dance - halls . By September of the same year the title was being used as a scornful riposte and soon words were added to an already well - known tune . The song is mentioned in November , 1855 in a Church of England pamphlet where it is described as a universally popular song played in the streets on barrel organs , but with `` senseless lyrics '' : the use of alternative , more wholesome words is suggested . The following verse had been written by 1856 when it was quoted in a performance at the Theatre Royal : </P>
<P> The tune appears to have begun as dance music , to which words were later added . A music sheet acquired by the British Library in 1853 describes a dance , `` Pop ! Goes the Weasel '' , as `` An Old English Dance , as performed at Her Majesty 's & The Nobilities Balls , with the Original Music '' . It had a tune very similar to that used today but only the words `` Pop ! Goes the Weasel '' . The dance became extremely popular , and featured on stage as well as in dance - halls . By September of the same year the title was being used as a scornful riposte and soon words were added to an already well - known tune . The song is mentioned in November , 1855 in a Church of England pamphlet where it is described as a universally popular song played in the streets on barrel organs , but with `` senseless lyrics '' : the use of alternative , more wholesome words is suggested . The following verse had been written by 1856 when it was quoted in a performance at the Theatre Royal : </P>
origins of nursery rhymes pop goes the weasel
origins of nursery rhymes pop goes the weasel
dance music , to which words were later added
dance music , to which words were later added