Hasn't everyone heard the famous rhyme London Bridge Is Falling Down? It is also known as My Fair Lady or simply London Bridge. There are so many versions of the rhyme that it’s hard to point out the original. Many countries around the world know the rhyme and have been singing it for decades.
The earliest records date back to the 17th century, while the modern version of the lyrics comes from the mid-18th century. This version continued into the 19th century and entered other countries like the US, etc. But what does the rhyme symbolize? Let’s find out.
Written Lyrics
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.
Printable Lyrics
Save the printable PDF file with extended lyrics of London Bridge Is Falling Down. Click here to download.
Photo Lyrics
Click on the image to save the lyrics on your device.
Video Links
Check out this video with a different version of the lyrics:
Watch this video for another version:
Origins and History
The earlier version of the rhyme was published in the Pretty Song Book collection by Tommy Thumb in 1744. Given the lyrics, it is evident that the rhyme refers to the iconic bridge in London. Of course, the original London Bridge was made from wood during the Roman era (50AD). Through the centuries, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The Viking and Saxon invasions and natural disasters were responsible for the destruction.
In its place, a stone bridge was built (from 1176 to 1209), according to Peter de Colechurch’s instructions. The bridge soon became a trade center with shops around it. This affected its durability and strength.
It was demolished in 1831, and the construction of the new bridge began. The stones of the old bridge were sold and reassembled in Lake Havasu, Arizona. However, the current London Bridge is the latest structure, constructed in the 1960s.
The actual rhyme might refer to the wooden bridge destroyed by Viking leader Olaf Haraldsson in 1014 when he was invading the British Isles. A collection of Old Norse poems from 1230 contain a verse that points to the incident. The lyrics roughly translate to ‘London Bridge is broken down. Gold is won, and bright renown’.
Let's find out who the ‘Fair Lady’ was. Some say the word refers to Virgin Mary as the Viking attack occurred on her birthday (8th September). It could also refer to Matilda of Scotland from the 12th century, Eleanor of Provence in the 13th century, or even a member of the Leigh family of Stoneleigh Park in the 17th century.
FAQs
No. The bridge was destroyed and dismantled, but it never fell down or crashed on its own.
Yes. London Bridge game is similar to the game played when singing Draw a Pail/ Bucket of Water.
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