London Bridge is Falling Down

U.S.A.

HISTORY AND SONG NOTES

London Bridge is Falling Down, a folk song from England, is also known as My Fair Lady, or just London Bridge. The lyrics first originated in England in the 17th century, and the tune as we know it today in the 19th century.

London Bridge can be used as a group singing song, as the tune is repetitive and easy for young children to sing. You may try building with blocks or another manipulative while you sing, having the children build and then gently knock down their “bridges.” Click here to read more about singing games.

When singing, there are multiple verses that you can choose to incorporate, describing all of the ways that the bridge is either coming down, or being built up. Below are a few examples, but the children may enjoy inventing their own verses as well:

London Bridge is broken down…

Build is up with wood and clay…

Build it up with sticks and stones…

Build it up with bricks and mortar…

Build it up with iron and steel…

This song can also be used as an instrument playing song, with the children playing small percussion instruments to accompany their singing. Click here to read more about instrument playing.

For older children, London Bridge can be used as a movement game. The children stand in two lines, facing each other; each child joins hands with the child opposite, raising their arms together to make an arch. Alternately, each child can make an arch with a partner and be scattered around the room. In either arrangement, the children then take turns moving under the arches, while the group sings the song. You can choose for the children to move under the arches until the song ends, indicating that the turn is over, or to have the children lower their arms at the end of the song so that the child who is moving gets “caught.” Click here to read more about movement activities.

AUDIO RECORDING FOR LISTENING, SINGING ALONG, AND LEARNING:

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT:

DOWNLOADS:

PDF of Score: London Bridge is Falling Down

mp3 of piano accompaniment: London Bridge is Falling Down