London Bridge Is Falling Down

First recorded: 1744

Origin: England

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 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.

The London Bridge of the rhyme keeps collapsing, and the singers keep rebuilding it, in wood and clay, then iron and steel, then silver and gold, each material failing in turn. Children act it out with the trapping-arch game, two players forming a bridge with their arms and bringing it down on whoever passes underneath.

Origins

The earliest printed English lyrics of the rhyme appeared in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book in 1744. However, similar rhymes exist across Europe, suggesting the song or game may be much older. One historical theory links the song to a Viking attack in 1014, when Olaf II of Norway allegedly destroyed London Bridge to aid King Aethelred the Unready. However, there is little contemporary evidence to prove this battle actually took place, and most historians treat the Viking connection as legend.

Meaning & Interpretation

The most realistic explanation is that the rhyme describes the constant structural troubles of the old stone bridge built in 1209. This bridge featured over one hundred residential homes and shops, which put immense weight on the arches. Frequent fires, ice damage, and the swift currents of the River Thames meant the bridge required near-constant, expensive repairs.

Another controversial theory suggests the rhyme refers to "immurement," the ancient practice of burying a human sacrifice in the foundation of a new building to ensure its stability. There is no archaeological evidence of human remains under London Bridge, so historians dismiss this theory as folklore.

What is the origin of London Bridge Is Falling Down?

The earliest recorded English text of the rhyme was published in 1744. The song refers to the long history of structural damage and constant repairs needed by the medieval London Bridge.

What is the meaning behind London Bridge Is Falling Down?

The rhyme describes the difficulty of keeping the bridge standing, mentioning different materials like wood, clay, iron, and silver. It reflects the real challenges of maintaining the medieval stone bridge, which survived fires, floods, and heavy traffic.