“Do you know the muffin man?” Children have sung this simple question for over 200 years. The Muffin Man started as a traditional English nursery rhyme in the 1800s.
Street vendors called muffin men sold baked goods door to door in London. Drury Lane was a real street in the theater district. The song spread across the world as British culture expanded.
Today, artists like The Countdown Kids, Cedarmont Kids, and Mother Goose Club have recorded popular versions.
Kids still love it because the repetitive lyrics are easy to learn and fun to sing together in classrooms and at home.
About the Song
“Muffin Man” is a traditional English nursery rhyme that asks a simple question: Do you know the muffin man?
The song teaches kids about repetition and memory through its catchy, call-and-response format. Parents and teachers use it to help young children practice language skills and social interaction.
The repeated phrases make it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to memorize and sing along. Kids enjoy the playful rhythm and the idea of someone living on Drury Lane.
It’s often used in circle time, music classes, and group activities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Muffin Man |
| Type | Traditional nursery rhyme/children’s song |
| Origin | 18th–19th century England |
| Writer | Unknown (Traditional public-domain song) |
| First Known Publication | Early 1800s (various UK nursery rhyme collections) |
| Modern Artist Versions | The Countdown Kids, Cedarmont Kids, Mother Goose Club |
| Producers | Varies by artist; typically arranged for children’s music albums |
| Album Examples | “100 Sing-Along Songs for Kids,” “Mother Goose Rhymes Collection.” |
| Theme/Genre | Children’s music, nursery rhyme |
Note: Since the original rhyme is public domain, most modern credits relate to recorded adaptations rather than a single official release.
Full Lyrics of the Muffin Man Song
Here are the complete lyrics to the Muffin Man song. You can sing along with your kids using these traditional verses.
Intro
Fresh muffins, hot out of the oven!
Chorus
Oh, do you know the muffin man?
The muffin man, the muffin man
Oh, do you know the muffin man
That lives in Drury Lane? (Let’s sing it together)
Oh, do you know the muffin man?
The muffin man, the muffin man
Do you know the muffin man
That lives in Drury Lane?
Verse 1
Oh yes, I know the muffin man
The muffin man, the muffin man
Oh yes, I know the muffin man
Who lives in Drury Lane
Break
Mm, mm, mm, mm-mm, mm, mm
Mm, mm-mm, mm-mm, mm, mm
Mm, mm, mm, mm-mm, mm, mm
Mm-mm, mm, mm, mm, again
Chorus
Oh, do you know the ice cream man
The ice cream man, the ice cream man?
Do you know the ice cream man
Who lives on Drury Lane??
Verse 2
Yes, I know the ice cream man
The ice cream man, the ice cream man
Yes, I know the ice cream man
Who lives on Drury Lane
Apples, peaches, pears, and plums
Get your fresh fruit over here!
Chorus
Oh, do you know the fruit stand man
The fruit stand man, the fruit stand man?
Do you know the fruit stand man
Who lives on Drury Lane?
Verse 3
Yes, I know the fruit stand man
The fruit stand man, the fruit stand man
Yes, I know the fruit stand man
Who lives on Drury Lane
Chorus
Oh, do you know the muffin man
The muffin man, the muffin man?
Do you know the muffin man
Who lives on Drury Lane?
Verse 4
Yes, I know the muffin man
The muffin man, the muffin man
Yes, I know the muffin man
Who lives on Drury Lane
Songs Similar to “Muffin Man”
If your child enjoys the Muffin Man, here are other classic nursery rhymes with similar repetition and learning benefits:
- Itsy Bitsy Spider – This song teaches hand motions and helps kids practice coordination while singing about a spider climbing up a waterspout.
- Old MacDonald Had a Farm – Kids learn animal sounds through repetition and have fun making noises like moo, oink, and quack.
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star– A gentle, calming melody perfect for bedtime that uses simple words young children can easily remember.
- Row Row Row Your Boat– Great for group singing and teaching kids about rhythm, this song works well as a round or canon.
- London Bridge Is Falling Down – An interactive song where children can act out the falling bridge while learning about taking turns and play.
Artists Similar to the Muffin Man Performers
If your kids love the Muffin Man song, they’ll probably enjoy music from these other children’s artists. These performers create fun, educational songs that help young learners grow.
- The Wiggles
Genre: Children’s Entertainment / Pop
Top Albums: Wiggly Safari, Yummy Yummy, Hot Potatoes - Raffi
Genre: Children’s folk/kids’ educational music
Top Albums: Singable Songs for the Very Young - Mother Goose Club
Genre: Nursery rhymes / early childhood learning
Top Albums: Mother Goose Club Sings Nursery Rhymes - Cedarmont Kids
Genre: Christian children’s music/sing-along songs
Top Albums: Action Bible Songs
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Story Behind the Muffin Man Song?
The song refers to genuine muffin sellers who walked London streets in the 1800s, particularly on Drury Lane.
What Is the Darkest Nursery Song?
“Ring Around the Rosie” is considered the darkest, as some believe it references the bubonic plague.
What Is the Saying “Do You Know the Muffin Man”?
It’s the opening line of the nursery rhyme asking if you know the muffin seller from Drury Lane.
What Does the Slang Word Muffin Man Mean?
In modern slang, it refers to someone who bakes or sells muffins, or appears in playful internet contexts.
