The Alphabet Song Lyrics

"The Alphabet Song," also known as "The ABC Song," is one of the most fundamental educational songs taught to children worldwide. This simple yet effective melody has helped countless children learn their ABCs, making the alphabet accessible and memorable through music. The song's catchy tune and rhythmic structure make learning the 26 letters of the English alphabet an enjoyable and engaging experience for young learners. Whether in classrooms, homes, or educational programs, this timeless song continues to be a cornerstone of early childhood education.

Complete Lyrics

A-B-C-D-E-F-G
H-I-J-K-LMNOP
Q-R-S
T-U-V
W and X
Y and Zee
Now I know my "ABCs"
Next time won't you sing with me?

The History of "The Alphabet Song"

"The Alphabet Song" shares its melody with several other well-known songs, including "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep." The tune originates from the 18th-century French melody "Ah! vous dirai-je, maman" (Oh! Shall I tell you, Mama), which first appeared in print in France in 1761. This versatile melody proved perfect for adapting to various lyrics across different languages and purposes.

The specific use of this melody for teaching the English alphabet is credited to Louis Le Maire, a music publisher in Boston, who copyrighted the arrangement in 1835 under the title "The A.B.C., a German air with variations for the flute with an easy accompaniment for the piano forte." However, the practice of setting the alphabet to music dates back even earlier, with various versions appearing in the early 19th century as educators recognized the power of music in helping children memorize the letter sequence.

The genius of "The Alphabet Song" lies in its simplicity and memorability. The melody naturally groups letters in a way that makes them easier to remember: A-B-C-D-E-F-G flows smoothly in the first line, H-I-J-K-LMNOP (often sung quickly as "elemeno-pee") in the second, and so on. This rhythmic grouping has become so ingrained in English-speaking cultures that many people still mentally sing the song when trying to recall where a letter falls in the alphabetical sequence, even in adulthood.

Today, "The Alphabet Song" remains a universal tool in early childhood education, transcending generations and technological advances. Despite the proliferation of digital learning tools and apps, this simple song continues to be one of the first ways children encounter and master the alphabet, proving that sometimes the most effective teaching methods are also the most timeless.

Memorizing The Alphabet Song

The beauty of "The Alphabet Song" is that it's specifically designed for memorization. The melody naturally chunks the 26 letters into memorable groups:

  • Line 1: A-B-C-D-E-F-G (7 letters)
  • Line 2: H-I-J-K-LMNOP (7 letters, though "LMNOP" often runs together)
  • Lines 3-6: Q-R-S, T-U-V, W and X, Y and Z (12 letters in shorter phrases)
  • Closing: "Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me?"

The song's familiar melody (shared with "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star") makes it instantly accessible. Most people internalize this song so thoroughly in childhood that they continue to mentally sing it when alphabetizing or finding letters even as adults. Practice with the Lines app to ensure perfect letter sequence recall.