Some nursery rhymes are thinly veiled disguises for their true meaning, but that’s not the case with The Muffin Man – it really is about a man who sold muffins! Drury Lane is a real place in London and in the 19th century, when this nursery rhyme was written there would have been many “muffin men” selling their wares.
The rhyme originates from London so these baked goods are English savory muffins, not the sweet modern variety. English muffins can contain a wide variety of fillings and were a common food item in those days, so it’s only natural that children worked them into their childhood songs, reflecting the world around them.
Muffin men knocked on the doors of Victorian London, offering their starchy, filling muffins for sale. As Victorian cooking was arduous and involved a hot, smoky fire, many households opted to buy food items rather than bake at home.
The Muffin Man Lyrics
Do [or “Oh, do”] you know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Do you know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane?
Yes [or “Oh, yes”], I know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Yes, I know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane.
“The Muffin Man” Original Version
Do [or “Oh, do”] you know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Do you know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane?
Yes [or “Oh, yes”], I know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Yes, I know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane.
The Muffin Man Music Sheet
