Search results
People also ask
When was 'London Bridge' first sung?
Where did London Bridge is falling down come from?
When did London Bridge rhyme?
What is the story behind the London Bridge rhyme?
The lyrics were first printed in close to their modern form in the mid-18th century and became popular, particularly in Britain and the United States, during the 19th century. The modern melody was first recorded in the late 19th century. It has Roud Folk Song Index number 502.
Mar 11, 2023 · However, the most commonly accepted origin story for the rhyme is that of the London Bridge actually falling down in 1014 — because Viking leader Olaf Haraldsson allegedly pulled it down during an invasion of the British Isles.
- John Kuroski
Jun 20, 2022 · The traditional English nursery rhyme, "London Bridge Is Falling Down," has a long history. Read about the meaning of its song lyrics here.
- Jacob Uitti
- Senior Writer
Jun 14, 2016 · London Bridge is Falling Down is a nursery rhyme that became immensely popular in the middle of the 18th century. Its origin might actually date back all the way to the middle ages or even beyond. Then during the 19th century, the melody that we still hear today began to accompany the poem.
Sep 18, 2018 · ‘London Bridge is falling down falling down falling down’: this line appears towards the end of one of the greatest poems of the twentieth century, T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land. Of course, the nursery rhyme or children’s song from which Eliot borrowed this line is much older.
Some historians think this song dates all the way back to late medieval times, but the earliest record we have of 'London Bridge’ in English is from the 1600s. Just like London Bridge itself, the rhyme has changed over the centuries and there are several different versions.
The Romans built a number of bridges across the River Thames that didn't survive. The London Bridge referred to in the song was commissioned by Henry II at considerable cost. In 1176, work was started on the stone structure, supervised by Peter of Colechurch.
