London Bridge is Falling Down | Nursery Rhymes Songs for Kids | Karaoke...
London Bridge Is Falling Down
"London Bridge Is Falling Down" (also known as
"My Fair Lady" or "London Bridge") is a
traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different
versions all over the world. It deals with the depredations of London Bridge and attempts, realistic or
fanciful, to repair it. It may date back to bridge rhymes and games of
the Late Middle Ages,
but the earliest records of the rhyme in English are from the seventeenth
century. The lyrics were first printed in close to their modern form in the
mid-eighteenth century and became popular, particularly in Britain and the United
States during the 19th century.
"My Fair Lady" or "London Bridge") is a
traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different
versions all over the world. It deals with the depredations of London Bridge and attempts, realistic or
fanciful, to repair it. It may date back to bridge rhymes and games of
the Late Middle Ages,
but the earliest records of the rhyme in English are from the seventeenth
century. The lyrics were first printed in close to their modern form in the
mid-eighteenth century and became popular, particularly in Britain and the United
States during the 19th century.
The modern melody was first recorded in the late nineteenth
century and the game resembles arch games of the Middle Ages, but seems to have
taken its modern form in the late nineteenth century. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number
of 502. Several theories have been advanced to explain the meaning of the rhyme
and the identity of the "fair lady" of the refrain. The rhyme is one
of the best known in the world and has been referenced in a variety of works of
literature and popular culture.
century and the game resembles arch games of the Middle Ages, but seems to have
taken its modern form in the late nineteenth century. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number
of 502. Several theories have been advanced to explain the meaning of the rhyme
and the identity of the "fair lady" of the refrain. The rhyme is one
of the best known in the world and has been referenced in a variety of works of
literature and popular culture.
Lyrics
There is considerable
variation in the lyrics of the rhyme. The most frequently used first verse is:
variation in the lyrics of the rhyme. The most frequently used first verse is:
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
In the version quoted by Iona and Peter Opie in 1951 the first verse is:
The rhyme is constructed of quatrains in trochaic tetrameter catalectic, (each line made up of
four metrical feet of
two syllables, with the stress falling on the first syllable in a pair; the
last foot in the line missing the unstressed syllable), which is common in
nursery rhymes. In
its most common form it relies on a double repetition, rather than a rhyming
scheme, which is a frequently employed device in children's rhymes and stories.The Roud Folk Song Index,
which catalogues folk songs and their variations by number, classifies the song
as 502.
four metrical feet of
two syllables, with the stress falling on the first syllable in a pair; the
last foot in the line missing the unstressed syllable), which is common in
nursery rhymes. In
its most common form it relies on a double repetition, rather than a rhyming
scheme, which is a frequently employed device in children's rhymes and stories.The Roud Folk Song Index,
which catalogues folk songs and their variations by number, classifies the song
as 502.
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady
Who can help to save the bridge?
Save the bridge, save the bridge
Who can help to save the bridge?
My fair lady
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady
Super Hero has can help
Has can help, has can help
Super Hero has can help
My fair lady
Now the monster he has gone
He has gone, he has gone
Now the monster he has gone
My fair lady
London Bridge has now been saved
Now been saved, now been saved
London Bridge has now been saved
My fair lady!
Melody
The melody now most associated with the rhyme.
A melody is recorded for "London Bridge" in an edition
of John Playford's The Dancing Master published
in 1718, but it differs from the modern tune and no lyrics were given. An issue
of Blackwood's Magazine in 1821 noted the rhyme as a being
sung to the tune of "Nancy Dawson",
now better known as "Nuts in May"
and the same tune was given in Richard
Thomson's Chronicles of London Bridge (1827).
of John Playford's The Dancing Master published
in 1718, but it differs from the modern tune and no lyrics were given. An issue
of Blackwood's Magazine in 1821 noted the rhyme as a being
sung to the tune of "Nancy Dawson",
now better known as "Nuts in May"
and the same tune was given in Richard
Thomson's Chronicles of London Bridge (1827).
Another tune was recorded in Samuel Arnold's Juvenile
Amusements in 1797. E. F. Rimbault's Nursery Rhymes (1836)
has the same first line, but then a different tune. The
tune now associated with the rhyme was first recorded in 1879 in the US in A.
H. Rosewig's Illustrated National Songs and Games.
Amusements in 1797. E. F. Rimbault's Nursery Rhymes (1836)
has the same first line, but then a different tune. The
tune now associated with the rhyme was first recorded in 1879 in the US in A.
H. Rosewig's Illustrated National Songs and Games.
The game
Girls
playing "London Bridge" in 1898.
playing "London Bridge" in 1898.
The rhyme is often used in a children's singing game, which
exists in a wide variety of forms, with additional verses. Most versions are
similar to the actions used in the rhyme "Oranges and Lemons".
The most common is that two players hold hands and make an arch with their arms
while the others pass through in single file. The "arch" is then
lowered at the song's end to "catch" a player. In the United States it
is common for two teams of those that have been caught to engage in a tug of
war. In England until the nineteenth century the song may have been accompanied
by a circle dance, but
arch games are known to have been common across late medieval Europe.
exists in a wide variety of forms, with additional verses. Most versions are
similar to the actions used in the rhyme "Oranges and Lemons".
The most common is that two players hold hands and make an arch with their arms
while the others pass through in single file. The "arch" is then
lowered at the song's end to "catch" a player. In the United States it
is common for two teams of those that have been caught to engage in a tug of
war. In England until the nineteenth century the song may have been accompanied
by a circle dance, but
arch games are known to have been common across late medieval Europe.
Five of nine versions published by Alice Gomme in 1894 included
references to a prisoner who has stolen a watch and chain. This may be a late
nineteenth century addition from another game called "Hark the
Robbers", or "Watch and Chain". This rhyme is sung to the
same tune and may be an offshoot of "London Bridge" or the remnant of
a distinct game. In one version the first two verses have the lyrics:
references to a prisoner who has stolen a watch and chain. This may be a late
nineteenth century addition from another game called "Hark the
Robbers", or "Watch and Chain". This rhyme is sung to the
same tune and may be an offshoot of "London Bridge" or the remnant of
a distinct game. In one version the first two verses have the lyrics:
Who has stole my watch and chain,
Watch and chain, watch and chain;
Who has stole my watch and chain,
My fair lady?
Off to prison you must go,
You must go, you must go;
Off to prison you must go,
My fair lady.
Watch and chain, watch and chain;
Who has stole my watch and chain,
My fair lady?
Off to prison you must go,
You must go, you must go;
Off to prison you must go,
My fair lady.
Origins
Detail
from Philippe Pigouchet's Heures a lusaige de Paris (1497),
showing an arch game similar to that known to be associated with the rhyme from
the late nineteenth century.
from Philippe Pigouchet's Heures a lusaige de Paris (1497),
showing an arch game similar to that known to be associated with the rhyme from
the late nineteenth century.
The cover
of the third edition of Dumpling and Pudding, which contains Henry Carey's
satire "Namby Pamby"
(1725), one of the earliest surviving works to refer to the rhyme.
of the third edition of Dumpling and Pudding, which contains Henry Carey's
satire "Namby Pamby"
(1725), one of the earliest surviving works to refer to the rhyme.
Similar rhymes can be found across Europe, pre-dating the
records in England. These include "Knippelsbro Går Op og Ned" from Denmark,
"Die Magdeburger Brück" from Germany, "pont chus" from
sixteenth-century France; and "Le porte", from fourteenth-century
Italy. It is possible that the rhyme was acquired from one of these sources and
then adapted to fit the most famous bridge in England.
records in England. These include "Knippelsbro Går Op og Ned" from Denmark,
"Die Magdeburger Brück" from Germany, "pont chus" from
sixteenth-century France; and "Le porte", from fourteenth-century
Italy. It is possible that the rhyme was acquired from one of these sources and
then adapted to fit the most famous bridge in England.
One of the earliest references to the rhyme in English is in the
comedy The London Chaunticleres, printed in 1657, but probably
written about 1636, in which the dairy woman Curds states that she had
"danced the building of London-Bridge" at the Whitsun Ales in her youth, although no
words or actions are mentioned. Widespread familiarity with the rhyme is
suggested by its use by Henry Carey in
his satire Namby Pamby (1725),
as:
comedy The London Chaunticleres, printed in 1657, but probably
written about 1636, in which the dairy woman Curds states that she had
"danced the building of London-Bridge" at the Whitsun Ales in her youth, although no
words or actions are mentioned. Widespread familiarity with the rhyme is
suggested by its use by Henry Carey in
his satire Namby Pamby (1725),
as:
Namby Pamby is no Clown,
London Bridge is broken down:
Now he courts the gay Ladee
Dancing o'er The Lady-Lee.
Now he courts the gay Ladee
Dancing o'er The Lady-Lee.
The oldest extant version could be that recalled by a
correspondent to the Gentleman's Magazine in
1823, which he claimed to have heard from a woman who was a child in the reign
of Charles II (r.
1660–85) and had the lyrics:
correspondent to the Gentleman's Magazine in
1823, which he claimed to have heard from a woman who was a child in the reign
of Charles II (r.
1660–85) and had the lyrics:
London Bridge is broken down,
Dance over the Lady Lea;
London Bridge is broken down,
With a gay lady (la-dee).
Dance over the Lady Lea;
London Bridge is broken down,
With a gay lady (la-dee).
The earliest printed English version is in the oldest extant
collection of nursery rhymes, Tommy
Thumb's Pretty Song Book, printed by John Newbery in London (c. 1744),
beginning with the following text:
collection of nursery rhymes, Tommy
Thumb's Pretty Song Book, printed by John Newbery in London (c. 1744),
beginning with the following text:
The first page of the rhyme from an 1815
edition of Tommy
Thumb's Pretty Song Book (c. 1744).
edition of Tommy
Thumb's Pretty Song Book (c. 1744).
James Ritson, whose Gammer Gurton's
Garlandcontains one of the earliest versions of the rhyme (Engraving by
James Sayers, published in 1803).
Garlandcontains one of the earliest versions of the rhyme (Engraving by
James Sayers, published in 1803).
London Bridge
Is Broken down,
Dance over my Lady Lee.
London Bridge
Is Broken down
With a gay Lady.
Is Broken down,
Dance over my Lady Lee.
London Bridge
Is Broken down
With a gay Lady.
A version from James Ritson's Gammer Gurton's
Garland (1784) is similar but replaces the last verse with:
Garland (1784) is similar but replaces the last verse with:
Build it up with stone so strong,
Dance o'er my Lady lee,
Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,
With a gay lady.
Dance o'er my Lady lee,
Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,
With a gay lady.
Meaning
Cnut the
Great's men on the London bridge, under attack by Olaf II of Norway from a
Victorian children's book published in 1894.
Great's men on the London bridge, under attack by Olaf II of Norway from a
Victorian children's book published in 1894.
The meaning of the rhyme is not certain. It may simply relate to
the many difficulties experienced in bridging the River Thames, but a number of alternative
theories have been put forward.
the many difficulties experienced in bridging the River Thames, but a number of alternative
theories have been put forward.
Viking attack theory
One theory of origin is that the rhyme relates to the supposed
destruction of London Bridge by Olaf II of Norway in 1014 (or 1009). The
nineteenth-century translation of the Norse saga the Heimskringla, published by Samuel Laing in
1844, included a verse by Óttarr svarti, that looks very similar to the
nursery rhyme:
destruction of London Bridge by Olaf II of Norway in 1014 (or 1009). The
nineteenth-century translation of the Norse saga the Heimskringla, published by Samuel Laing in
1844, included a verse by Óttarr svarti, that looks very similar to the
nursery rhyme:
London Bridge is broken down. —
Gold is won, and bright renown.
Shields resounding,
War-horns sounding,
Hild is shouting in the din!
Arrows singing,
Mail-coats ringing —
Odin makes our Olaf win!
Gold is won, and bright renown.
Shields resounding,
War-horns sounding,
Hild is shouting in the din!
Arrows singing,
Mail-coats ringing —
Odin makes our Olaf win!
However, modern translations make it clear that Laing was using
the nursery rhyme as a model for his very free translation, and the reference
to London Bridge does not appear at the start of the verse and it is unlikely
that this is an earlier version of the nursery rhyme.[11] Some historians have raised
the possibility that the attack never took place. However, the original
document detailing the attack was written only about 100 years after what would
be a famous event in a highly populated area, leading the majority of
historians to conclude that the account is at least relatively accurate.[12][13] While it might or might not
be the origin of the rhyme, this would make King Olaf's victory the only
historically recorded incidence of London Bridge "falling down."
the nursery rhyme as a model for his very free translation, and the reference
to London Bridge does not appear at the start of the verse and it is unlikely
that this is an earlier version of the nursery rhyme.[11] Some historians have raised
the possibility that the attack never took place. However, the original
document detailing the attack was written only about 100 years after what would
be a famous event in a highly populated area, leading the majority of
historians to conclude that the account is at least relatively accurate.[12][13] While it might or might not
be the origin of the rhyme, this would make King Olaf's victory the only
historically recorded incidence of London Bridge "falling down."
Child sacrifice theory
The theory that the song refers to the burying, perhaps alive,
of children in the foundations of the bridge was first advanced by Alice Bertha Gomme (later
Lady Gomme) in The Traditional Games of England, Scotland and Ireland (1894–1898)
and perpetuated by the usually sceptical Iona and Peter Opie.
This was based around the idea that a bridge would collapse unless the
body of a human sacrifice was buried in its foundations and that the watchman
is actually a human sacrifice, who will then watch over the bridge. However,
there is no archaeological evidence for any human remains in the foundations of
London Bridge.
of children in the foundations of the bridge was first advanced by Alice Bertha Gomme (later
Lady Gomme) in The Traditional Games of England, Scotland and Ireland (1894–1898)
and perpetuated by the usually sceptical Iona and Peter Opie.
This was based around the idea that a bridge would collapse unless the
body of a human sacrifice was buried in its foundations and that the watchman
is actually a human sacrifice, who will then watch over the bridge. However,
there is no archaeological evidence for any human remains in the foundations of
London Bridge.
Age and damage theory
Until the mid-eighteenth century the Old London Bridge was the
only crossing on the Thames in London. It was damaged in a major fire in 1633,
but in the fire of 1666 this damage acted as a fire break and prevented the
flames from further damaging the bridge and crossing to the south side of the
Thames. With its 19 narrow arches, it impeded river traffic and flow. Central
piers were removed to create a wider navigational span. Widening and the
removal of its houses was completed in 1763, but it remained relatively narrow
and needed continual and expensive repairs. In the early nineteenth century it
was decided to replace the bridge with a new construction. New London Bridge
was opened in 1831 and survived until it was replaced in 1972. It was then
transported and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
only crossing on the Thames in London. It was damaged in a major fire in 1633,
but in the fire of 1666 this damage acted as a fire break and prevented the
flames from further damaging the bridge and crossing to the south side of the
Thames. With its 19 narrow arches, it impeded river traffic and flow. Central
piers were removed to create a wider navigational span. Widening and the
removal of its houses was completed in 1763, but it remained relatively narrow
and needed continual and expensive repairs. In the early nineteenth century it
was decided to replace the bridge with a new construction. New London Bridge
was opened in 1831 and survived until it was replaced in 1972. It was then
transported and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
"Fair lady" identity
The seal
of Matilda of Scotland,
one of the candidates for the "fair lady" of the refrain.
of Matilda of Scotland,
one of the candidates for the "fair lady" of the refrain.
Several attempts have been made to identify the 'fair lady',
'lady gay', or lady 'lee/lea' of the rhyme. They include:
'lady gay', or lady 'lee/lea' of the rhyme. They include:
·
Matilda of Scotland (c.
1080–1118) Henry I's
consort, who between 1110 and 1118 was responsible for the building of the
series of bridges that carried the London-Colchester road across the River Lea and its side streams
between Bow and Stratford.
Matilda of Scotland (c.
1080–1118) Henry I's
consort, who between 1110 and 1118 was responsible for the building of the
series of bridges that carried the London-Colchester road across the River Lea and its side streams
between Bow and Stratford.
·
Eleanor of Provence (c.
1223–91), consort of Henry III who
had custody of the bridge revenues from 1269 to about 1281.
Eleanor of Provence (c.
1223–91), consort of Henry III who
had custody of the bridge revenues from 1269 to about 1281.
·
A member of the Leigh family of Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, who have a
family story that a human sacrifice lies under the building.
A member of the Leigh family of Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, who have a
family story that a human sacrifice lies under the building.
·
The River Lea, which is a tributary of the Thames.
The River Lea, which is a tributary of the Thames.
Legacy and popular culture
Since the late 19th century the rhyme has been seen as one of
the most popular and well known in the English-speaking world. It has also been
referenced in both literature and popular culture.
the most popular and well known in the English-speaking world. It has also been
referenced in both literature and popular culture.
·
It was used by T. S. Eliot at the climax of his
poem The Waste Land (1922).
It was used by T. S. Eliot at the climax of his
poem The Waste Land (1922).
·
The final line of the verse was probably the inspiration for the
title of Lerner and Loewe's
1956 musical My Fair Lady.
The final line of the verse was probably the inspiration for the
title of Lerner and Loewe's
1956 musical My Fair Lady.
·
Chorus of the 1963 Brenda Lee song My Whole
World is Falling Down are based on "London Bridge is
Falling Down".
Chorus of the 1963 Brenda Lee song My Whole
World is Falling Down are based on "London Bridge is
Falling Down".
·
The musical unicorn-in-glass-dome ornament bought by William
Foster in the 1993 movie Falling Down plays the tune of the
nursery rhyme "London Bridge is falling down". (So the movie title is
evidently derived from this old nursery rhyme.)
The musical unicorn-in-glass-dome ornament bought by William
Foster in the 1993 movie Falling Down plays the tune of the
nursery rhyme "London Bridge is falling down". (So the movie title is
evidently derived from this old nursery rhyme.)
·
The tune is often used by English football supporters as the
basis for chants.
The tune is often used by English football supporters as the
basis for chants.
·
In 1982 was sampled as "Halloween Montage" by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth feat. Tommy Lee Wallace, for the film Halloween
III: Season of the Witch, who was used as a song of the Silver Shamrock commercial.
In 1982 was sampled as "Halloween Montage" by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth feat. Tommy Lee Wallace, for the film Halloween
III: Season of the Witch, who was used as a song of the Silver Shamrock commercial.
·
In The Inbetweeners episode
Bunk Off, Simon expresses about losing his virginity to Carli and Jay teases
him about the prospect of that - and part of this teasing is riding Simon on
Neil's dad's sofa and singing about intercourse with Carli to the tune of
London Bridge is Falling Down.
In The Inbetweeners episode
Bunk Off, Simon expresses about losing his virginity to Carli and Jay teases
him about the prospect of that - and part of this teasing is riding Simon on
Neil's dad's sofa and singing about intercourse with Carli to the tune of
London Bridge is Falling Down.
·
It is sung in the song "Shoots and Ladders"
by American nu-metal band Korn.
It is sung in the song "Shoots and Ladders"
by American nu-metal band Korn.
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