NurseryRhymes.info
Animal Fair
Late 19th Century 
USA Lyrics
I went to the animal fair,
The birds and the beasts were there,
The big baboon by the light of the moon
Was combing his auburn hair.
The monkey, he got drunk,
And sat on the elephant's trunk.
The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees,
And what became of the monkey, monkey, monkey?
The birds and the beasts were there,
The big baboon by the light of the moon
Was combing his auburn hair.
The monkey, he got drunk,
And sat on the elephant's trunk.
The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees,
And what became of the monkey, monkey, monkey?
History and Meaning
"I went to the animal fair, the birds and the bees were there..." This catchy tune feels like classic nonsense verse, probably emerging from American folk or vaudeville traditions around the late 19th or early 20th century. You'll often hear it sung to the same melody as "The Bear Went Over the Mountain."
Its meaning? Pure fun and absurdity! It paints a picture of a ridiculous fair attended only by animals, with comical mishaps like the "big baboon" combing his hair with a rake and the "monk'" (monkey) getting drunk and falling off the elephant's trunk. It's all about celebrating silliness and creating funny mental images, perfect for making kids laugh!