London Bridge is Falling Down is a traditional nursery rhyme for children. Read the full lyrics below, listen to the rhyme read aloud and learn about its meaning, origin and connection to the real London Bridge.
- Nursery Rhyme: London Bridge is Falling Down
- Best for: Ages 3–7
- Reading Time: Under 5 minutes
- Region / Origin: England / traditional British nursery rhyme
- Theme: Building, history, rhythm, repetition
- Type: Traditional nursery rhyme
- Good for: Early reading, memory, rhythm, classroom singing and movement games
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 night,
Watch all night, watch all night,
Set a man to watch all night,
My fair Lady.
Build More Bridge-Bright Rhymes
Keep building with Hickory Dickory Dock.
March along to Jack & Jill.
What Does London Bridge is Falling Down Mean?
London Bridge is Falling Down is usually understood as a nursery rhyme about the repeated attempts to build and repair London Bridge. Each verse names a different material, such as wood and clay, bricks and mortar, iron and steel, then silver and gold.
The rhyme may reflect the long history of London Bridge, which was repaired, rebuilt and changed many times. Some people also discuss darker theories about the rhyme, but these are not proven. For children, the rhyme works best as a playful song about building, problem-solving and repetition.
Origin and History of London Bridge is Falling Down
London Bridge is Falling Down is a traditional English nursery rhyme. The rhyme is linked to London Bridge, one of the most famous bridges over the River Thames.
The real London Bridge has a long history. Different bridges have stood in the same area over many centuries. Because bridges were damaged, repaired and rebuilt over time, the rhyme may have grown from ideas about building, collapse and repair.
No single proven meaning explains every line of the rhyme, but it remains one of the best-known nursery rhymes in English.
Is London Bridge is Falling Down Creepy?
Some people think London Bridge is Falling Down sounds creepy because it mentions a bridge falling down, materials failing and someone watching all night. There are also darker theories about the rhyme online.
However, these darker meanings are not proven. On this page, we treat London Bridge is Falling Down as a traditional children’s nursery rhyme about building, rhythm and repetition.
Teaching Ideas for London Bridge is Falling Down
Use this nursery rhyme to help children practise:
Rhyme and repetition
Memory and sequencing
Rhythm and speaking clearly
Vocabulary about building materials
Simple history links to London and the River Thames
Teamwork through the traditional London Bridge game
Classroom Activities
Build the Bridge STEM Activity
Children build small bridges using blocks, card, straws or craft sticks, then test which materials are strongest.
Rhyme and Repetition Hunt
Children underline repeated words and phrases, then clap the rhythm as they read.
Materials Sorting Activity
Sort wood, clay, bricks, mortar, iron, steel, silver and gold into “strong”, “weak”, “natural” and “man-made”.
London Bridge Movement Game
Children play the traditional arch game while practising listening, rhythm and cooperation.
Then and Now Bridge Discussion
Compare old London Bridge with modern bridges. Ask: Why do bridges need strong materials?
Frequently Asked Questions about London Bridge is Falling Down
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What are the lyrics to London Bridge is Falling Down?
London Bridge is Falling Down is a traditional nursery rhyme with repeated verses about building the bridge with different materials, including wood and clay, bricks and mortar, iron and steel, then silver and gold.
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What does London Bridge is Falling Down mean?
London Bridge is Falling Down is usually understood as a rhyme about trying to build and repair London Bridge. The repeated verses show different building materials failing or being replaced.
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Is London Bridge is Falling Down a nursery rhyme?
Yes. London Bridge is Falling Down is a traditional English nursery rhyme and children’s song.
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Where did London Bridge is Falling Down come from?
London Bridge is Falling Down is a traditional English nursery rhyme. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is linked to the history of London Bridge and the repeated rebuilding and repair of bridges over the River Thames.
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Did London Bridge really fall down?
Different versions of London Bridge have been damaged, repaired and rebuilt over many centuries. The nursery rhyme may reflect the idea that bridges need constant repair, but it is not a simple record of one single event.
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Is London Bridge is Falling Down based on a true story?
The rhyme may be inspired by the real history of London Bridge, but there is no single proven true story behind every verse.
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Why does the rhyme say “my fair lady”?
The meaning of “my fair lady” is uncertain. In the nursery rhyme, it works as a repeated phrase at the end of each verse. Different theories exist, but none are proven.
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Is London Bridge is Falling Down creepy?
Some people find the rhyme creepy because it mentions a bridge falling down and someone watching all night. However, it is usually taught as a traditional nursery rhyme for children, especially because of its rhythm, repetition and movement game.
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What age is London Bridge is Falling Down suitable for?
London Bridge is Falling Down is suitable for young children, especially ages 3–7. Older children can also use it to discuss rhyme, rhythm, history and traditional songs.
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What can children learn from London Bridge is Falling Down?
Children can learn rhythm, repetition, memory skills, vocabulary about building materials and simple ideas about problem-solving. It can also introduce basic history about London Bridge.
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How do you play the London Bridge game?
Two children make an arch with their arms while others walk underneath as the rhyme is sung. At the end, the arch comes down gently around one child. Schools should adapt the game safely for the age group.
