Lyrics of London Bridge is Falling Down

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

Take a key and lock her up,
Lock her up, lock her up.
Take a key and lock her up,
My fair lady.

How will we build it up,
Build it up, build it up?
How will we build it up,
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.

Gold and silver I have none,
I have none, I have none.
Gold and silver I have none,
My fair lady.

Build it up with needles and pins,
Needles and pins, needles and pins,
Build it up with needles and pins,
My fair lady.

Pins and needles bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break.
Pins and needles bend and break,
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 stone so strong,
Stone so strong, stone so strong.
Build it up with stone so strong,
My fair lady.

Stone so strong will last so long,
Last so long, last so long.
Stone so strong will last so long,
My fair lady.

Introduction

I know firsthand the power of a catchy, sing-along style song to capture their attention – even if just for a few fleeting minutes! One of the old favorites in our household is “London Bridge,” a classic nursery rhyme that has likely been entertaining little ones for centuries. With its lively melody and repetition, it’s no wonder this tune has stood the test of time. Though the lyrics may seem nonsensical at first glance, they offer the opportunity for some lighthearted family bonding. So gather round and get ready to belt out this iconic ditty!

Origins and Meaning

While the origins of “London Bridge” are not definitively known, references to the song have been found dating back to the late 1600s, making it one of the most enduring nursery rhymes still popular today. The first published record of the lyrics was in Tommy Thumb’s Song Book in 1744. Some historians believe it may have originated as a rhyming game even earlier.

The common interpretation is that the song relates to the many difficulties faced in maintaining the infamous London Bridge across the River Thames. Back in the Middle Ages, this bridge was the only one spanning the river, so keeping it functional was of utmost importance. However, engineering techniques at the time were still relatively primitive. The original bridge, built in the 12th century, was made of wood and prone to fires and deterioration. It was replaced several times over the centuries as it underwent various repairs and rebuilds.

The lyrics of the rhyme are thought to reflect the constant need for upkeep of the bridge, as various materials are suggested and then rejected. “Wood and clay will wash away” refers to the flimsiness of early building methods. It isn’t until “stone so strong” is proposed that a suitable solution is found – one that “will last so long.” The “fair lady” may represent the City of London itself and its reliance on the bridge.

So this childhood song can be seen as describing the actual historical struggles to build and maintain this vital river crossing for Londoners. The upbeat melody juxtaposed with the perilous topic makes for an engaging tune for little listeners. Not to mention all the fun actions that go along with it!

Fun Facts About London Bridge

• The current London Bridge was completed in 1973.
• In the Middle Ages, the London Bridge even had houses and businesses built directly on top of it! Can you imagine living and working right over a river?
• The lyrics mentioning “silver and gold” may relate to the practice of housing royalty on the bridge to protect them from river invaders. Their presence sanctified the bridge.
• There are contrasting American and British versions of the song and associated hand motions. The American version typically gestures falling down, whereas the British version has more elaborate hand clasps.
• Some historians think the rhyme originally described the fall of Henry III in the Battle of Lewes in 1264, with “My fair lady” referring to Queen Eleanor.

Conclusion

In the end, it’s not the convoluted history that really matters when it comes to a song like “London Bridge.” What makes it so endearing is its simplicity and playfulness. There’s something wonderfully timeless about sharing silly songs, rhythmic clapping, and laughter across generations. The basic joys of childhood and parenthood remain largely the same over centuries. As many times as that bridge has fallen in the rhyme, it still stands strong in real life. And it lives on in the lives of children still singing the tune today.

The next time the chaos of parenting starts to feel overwhelming, just break out into a spontaneous verse of “London Bridge.” Don’t be surprised if your kiddos want to belt it out all day long! Share your own memories in the comments below. And for more songs to sing with your family, check out my list of 50 Fun & Educational Kids Songs here. As I discussed in my previous post on popular kids’ songs, music is an integral part of childhood.

Hey there! I'm Allen, but you can call me "The Corny Dad" from Canada. I have a wife and four kiddos. Yep, one's full grown, but they'll always be my babies. When I'm not doing something with my family or playing video games, I'm here, jotting down my bits of wisdom on this blog. From the fun stuff to the parenting chaos, I cover it all. Believe me, with the right attitude, parenting's a smoother ride and I'm here to help.