There was a Monkey Nursery Rhyme Lyrics, Origins and History The Nursery Rhyme "There was a Monkey" is a poem about the life and times of the people of England. Monkeys There are no records regarding the first introduction of monkeys from North Africa to England but it seems certain that monkeys were brought back from the great Voyages of Discovery in the 1500's. They were probably presented at court for the amusement of Courtiers and Royalty. In the 1800's and 1900's monkeys and street musicians were a common site in the towns of England. Organ grinders would crank the handles of barrel organs and many would be accompanied by monkeys who were trained to collect money from the audience. What was a Lackey? The words of the Nursery Rhyme are " "There was a cobbler clouting shoon" and originated from liveried male servants, or footman, riding in horse races for their Masters. What was 'clouting' and what was a 'shoon'? The words of the Nursery Rhyme are ""There was a cobbler clouting shoon" . The word 'clouting means to plug a hole. The word 'shoon' comes from the plural of shoe. This was a common word in England and Scotland in the 1500's when nouns ending in vowels were frequently pluralized by adding an "n" instead of an "s". Help us to maintain our history and heritage through the words and lyrics of old Nursery Rhymes like ' There was a monkey ' There was a Monkey Nursery Rhyme