London Bridge Is Falling Down popularly known as ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘London Bridge’ is one of the best classic nursery rhymes in the English language. It is a singing game and has different versions all around the world. The rhyme depicts the destruction of the London Bridge and the attempts (realistic/ unrealistic) to repair it. You may also like to read, Mary Had A Little Lamb.

The rhyme was first recorded in the seventeenth century in the year 1744. Later, it got first printed in the mid-eighteenth century which soon gained its popularity in the nineteenth century particularly in Britain and the United States. Here are the modern lyrics which were introduced by Lona & Peter Opie in 1951. Read and sing along!

London Bridge Is Falling Down

london bridge is falling down

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London Bridge Is Falling Down,
Falling Down, Falling Down,
London Bridge Is Falling 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 Nigh,
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.

Summary:

This is the rhyme that is also used as a kid’s singing game. Most of the actions of this rhyme is taken from the ‘Oranges And Lemons‘. While playing the game, there are two volunteers who hold each other’s hands making an arch with their arms. The other players have to cross the arch by passing through the arch which the volunteer players have made. As the song finishes, the arch gets lower to catch the player.

One by one, the arch catches the player and then the caught players are asked to choose one of the volunteers. In the United States, it is common to play tug of war as the game comes to the end. Also, in England, this song is known as the Circle Dance.

A Little Something For Parents:

Poems should be an integral part of your child’s growing process as they make their lives more colorful and vibrant by adding a variety of rich experiences. So, every child should be encouraged to read more and more poems. Also, read An Apple A Day.