| "Old King Cole" | |
|---|---|
 Illustration by William Wallace Denslow | |
| Nursery rhyme | |
| Published | 1709 |
| Songwriter(s) | Traditional |
"Old King Cole" is a British nursery rhyme first attested in 1709. Though there is much speculation about the identity of King Cole, it is unlikely that he can be identified reliably as any historical figure. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 1164. The poem describes a merry king who called for his pipe, bowl, and musicians, with the details varying among versions.
The "bowl" is a drinking vessel, while it is unclear whether the "pipe" is a musical instrument or a tobacco pipe.[citation needed]