Animal Fair

I went to the animal fair, / The birds and beasts were there…

I went to the animal fair,
The birds and beasts were there.
By the light of the moon the gay baboon
Was combing his golden hair.
The monkey fell out of his bunk
And slid down the elephant’s trunk.
The elephant sneezed
And fell to his knees
And what became of the monkey, monkey,
monkey, monkey, monkey!

How to play

Turners turn a long rope and as many skippers jump in. When someone makes a mistake, that person is out and the song continues until there is one winner.

Where this rhyme comes from

Earliest record: by 1898
Sung in: US (song); UK (London) for skipping
Roud number: 4582

'The Animal Fair' was a comic song sung by minstrels and sailors by 1898. In 1916 Douglas recorded a London skipping rhyme about an 'animal show' with a monkey and a sneezing elephant, where the skipper keeps saying 'monkey' until someone is out.

Sources: Wikipedia 'Animal Fair (song)', citing The Chicago Record's War Stories (1898); Norman Douglas, London Street Games (1916), p.77.

Do you know an older version, or where this rhyme comes from? Teachers can tell us with the feedback button below.

Older and newer versions

The same rhyme, changed by children over the years.

ChantsPrinted 1916The Animal ShowI went to the animal show, and what do you think I saw there?
The Elephant sneezed and fell on his knees…

More rhymes like this

In and outPepper (fast)by 1916All in togetherAll in together girls
Never mind the weather girls…In and outc. 1920sTiny TimI had a little puppy
His name was Tiny Tim…In and outGranny's in the KitchenGranny's in the kitchen,
Doing some stitching…

Sent in by J B., Crockham Hill CEP (the first rhyme ever sent in to skip-hop)

In and outSitting in the KitchenSitting in the kitchen,
Doing a bit of knitting…

Sent in by Erica O.

In and outc. 1960sHad a Little Austin in 1948Had a little Austin in 1948
drove it round the corner…

Sent in by Jan B., Hazelgrove (remembered from about 1966)