The nursery rhyme Cobbler, Cobbler Mend My Shoe has been around for a long time but no one is clear about its origins. It’s been claimed by various sources in both the US and the Caribbean, but there are other suggestions that the rhyme originated in Europe because of the reference to a “crown”.
The lyrics can be sung to the same tune as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star so it’s easy to learn for young children who are already familiar with this melody. The story of the rhyme focuses on explaining a conversation that happens in the cobbler’s shop between a customer and the cobbler himself. The customer is keen to get their shoe mended at speed and offers the cobbler more money to hurry the job.
Cobblers are few and far between in the modern world but many nursery rhymes pay homage to traditional jobs, like cobblers and candlestick makers.
Cobbler, Cobbler Mend My Shoe Lyrics
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe.
Get it done by half past two.
Half past two is much too late.
Get it done by half past eight.
Stitch it up and stitch it down.
And I’ll give you half a crown.
Cobbler, Cobbler Mend My Shoe Music Sheet
