History of London Bridges Falling Down
The classic London Bridge is Falling Down nursery rhyme is one of the most well-known rhymes for children to learn. It’s one of the rhymes that is almost necessary to learn. London Bridge is Falling Down has been around since the late middle ages in London and in Europe. The London Bridge is Falling Down rhyme is believed to refer to a few different historical instances and figures in London. There was a Viking attack on the London Bridge in 1014 that was led by Olaf II of Norway. The bridge was damaged during the attack. The London Bridge was damaged by a fire more than once over the years as well. The rhyme may also refer to the difficulty during the construction in making a bridge to cross the River Thames. The fair lady that is referred to in the rhyme is believed to be based on a real person. The most likely suspected identity of the fair lady is Matilda of Scotland. Matilda of Scotland was the consort of King Henry I. She was put in charge of ordering many bridges to be built for London roadways to cross the River Lea and other waterways. All of the origin stories of the rhyme are speculation though.
London Bridge Lyrics
There are many recorded lyrical versions of London Bridge is Falling Down. The modern version is the only used version today. The modern London Bridge lyrics repeat the line “falling down” and reference a “my fair lady”. Older versions had a few different lyrics in the rhyme. The lyrics of today are easy for any young children to memorize since they are so simple and repetitive.
Project: Making London Bridges Fall Down with Playdoh
Children often play a game of London Bridge is Falling Down where two children create a “bridge” by clasping hands and allowing other children to run under the bridge of their arms. The children chant the rhyme until they get to the “my fair lady” part at the end. Then the two children with clasped hands lower their arms to trap the child who is the “my fair lady”.
Another educational option to teach the nursery rhyme is to build playdoh bridges. Then the parent or teacher can say the chant with the child or children who built the bridge. They can squish their playdoh bridge while they say the rhyme.
The London Bridge is Falling Down rhyme is a fun activity for children to work on their social skills with other children and on their motor skills. If children are taught to build little playdoh bridges while learning the rhyme, they may also develop basic building and engineering concepts along the way. The children can even build a “my fair lady” that can cross their playdoh bridge. They can also build other popular London buildings that they can place around their playdoh London bridge.