London Bridge Is Falling Down Lyrics
"London Bridge Is Falling Down" is one of the most enduring and widely recognized nursery rhymes in English-speaking cultures. This traditional singing game has been sung by children for centuries, featuring a repetitive, call-and-response structure that makes it easy to remember and fun to perform. The rhyme tells the story of London Bridge repeatedly falling down and various attempts to rebuild it with different materials, each proving inadequate in turn. The phrase "My fair lady" appears at the end of each verse, adding a courtly, medieval feel to this timeless children's song.
Complete Lyrics
London Bridge is falling down Falling down, falling down London Bridge is falling down My fair lady London Bridge is broken down Broken down, broken down London Bridge is broken down My fair lady Build it up with wood and clay Wood and clay, wood and clay Build it up with wood and clay My fair lady Wood and clay will wash away Wash away, wash away Wood and clay will wash away My fair lady Build it up with bricks and mortar Bricks and mortar, bricks and mortar Build it up with bricks and mortar My fair lady Bricks and mortar will not stay Will not stay, will not stay Bricks and mortar will not stay My fair lady Build it up with iron and steel Iron and steel, iron and steel Build it up with iron and steel My fair lady Iron and steel will bend and bow Bend and bow, bend and bow Iron and steel will bend and bow My fair lady Build it up with silver and gold Silver and gold, silver and gold Build it up with silver and gold My fair lady Silver and gold will be stolen away Stolen away, stolen away Silver and gold will be stolen away My fair lady Set a man to watch all night Watch all night, watch all night Set a man to watch all night My fair lady Suppose the man should fall asleep Fall asleep, fall asleep Suppose the man should fall asleep My fair lady Give him a pipe to smoke all night Smoke all night, smoke all night Give him a pipe to smoke all night My fair lady
A little bit of history
The origins of "London Bridge Is Falling Down" are deeply rooted in English history, though the exact source remains a subject of scholarly debate. The rhyme is believed to date back to medieval times, with the earliest known published version appearing in the mid-18th century. However, the song likely existed in oral tradition long before it was written down. London Bridge itself has a fascinating history—it has been rebuilt numerous times since the Roman era, with various versions suffering from fires, structural failures, and even deliberate destruction during conflicts.
One popular theory connects the rhyme to the Viking leader Olaf II of Norway, who allegedly pulled down London Bridge in 1014 during an attack on London to divide the defending forces. Another theory suggests the rhyme may reference the deterioration of the medieval stone bridge built in the 12th century, which stood for over 600 years despite requiring constant maintenance and repairs. Some historians have also proposed darker interpretations, including references to child sacrifice or immurement (burying people alive in foundations), though these theories are largely considered folklore rather than historical fact.
The rhyme has been used as a children's singing game for generations, where players form an arch with their arms while others pass underneath, being "captured" when the bridge "falls down" at certain points in the song. This game format has helped ensure the rhyme's transmission across centuries and continents. Today, "London Bridge Is Falling Down" remains a staple of childhood education and entertainment, celebrated in countless adaptations, recordings, and performances around the world. The actual London Bridge that stood during much of the modern era was eventually sold and relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in 1968, though the current bridge in London continues to carry traffic across the River Thames.
Memorizing London Bridge Is Falling Down
"London Bridge Is Falling Down" has many verses, but they follow a predictable pattern that makes memorization easier once you understand the structure:
- Problem verses: The bridge falling down and breaking down
- Solution verses: Attempts to rebuild with different materials (wood and clay, bricks and mortar, iron and steel, silver and gold)
- Failure verses: Each material proves inadequate (wash away, won't stay, bend and bow, stolen away)
- Guard verses: Setting a watchman and keeping him awake
The repetitive "My fair lady" refrain at the end of each verse serves as a constant anchor. Each verse pair follows the pattern: propose solution, explain why it fails. This logical progression helps memory retention. The Lines app can help you master all the verses of this extensive nursery rhyme.