Knees up mother Brown

[kimbro44]

Anyone got any info as to the history of this rhyme ? The words always make me laugh !
Thanks

[shaneystar2]

The expression almost certainly came from the London music hall song 'Knees Up Mother Brown' written in 1938 by Bert Lee and E Harris Weston. The song is thought partly to refer to Queen Victoria and her relationship with her Scottish servant John Brown. The contributing culture and usage of the expression would have been specifically London/Cockney. 'Knees up' would have been an appropriate description for the writers to use for what was considered risque dancing and behaviour at the time of the music hall variety shows, notably the can-can, which reached its popular peak during Victoria's reign, contrasting with the excessive prudishness of Victorian times.

[Grunty]

The West Ham United site www.kumb.com has a good history of the song. It is believed to be several centuries old, but there is credible evidence of it being used in 1918. Apparently American troops were singing it when they went back after the 1914-1918 (or 1917-1918 to them) war. There was a revival between 1933 and 1938.

[kimbro44]

Thank you both for your answers

[manxbiker]

I, too , have been fascinated by the song, having some idea that the Mother Brown in question was a reference to Queen Victoria (liaison with Mr. Brown). It would seem that I may have been wrong!
Suggest you might like to do as I did and check out www.kumb.com (the official website of the Hammers). KUMB -> Knees up Mother Brown.
Some good theories here, let us know what you think