Did you know the nursery rhyme dates back to 1708? Although the real King Cole has never been identified - despite him being a merry old soul who liked a drink.
There are rumours he was inspired by Richard Cole (1568–1614) or perhaps it was the legendary Welsh king Coel Hen
'Old King Cole' lyrics
Old King Cole was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he; He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three. Every fiddler he had a fiddle, And a very fine fiddle had he; Oh, there's none so rare, as can compare, With King Cole and his fiddlers three
Main image © William Wallace Denslow