London Bridge Is Falling Down Notes
London Bridge Is Falling Down starts G A G F E F G, then D E F, E F G. It uses six notes, from middle C up to A, and most of it sits around G.
The notes with the words
| Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| London Bridge is falling down | G A G F E F G |
| Falling down | D E F |
| Falling down | E F G |
| London Bridge is falling down | G A G F E F G |
| My fair lady | D G E C |
Lines 1 and 4 are the same, and each “falling down” climbs three notes: D E F, then one step higher, E F G. Only the last line is different. It skips around instead of stepping, and lands on middle C.
On the staff
In 4/4 time, with four beats in every measure. The letter under each note is its name.
The six notes
G is home base. The song starts on it, keeps returning to it and ends three of its phrases on it. G is the second line of the staff, the line the treble clef’s spiral curls around, so you can find it without counting. Most of the other notes are just a step or two away from it.
Tips for reading it
- Anchor on G. Name the first note by the clef, then read the rest of the line as steps around it: up to A, back to G, down to F and E, back up.
- Spot the repeat. “Falling down” is the same three-note climb twice, starting one note higher the second time.
- Read the leaps in the last line. D up to G, down to E, down to C. Each is a skip, so name these notes one by one rather than following the direction.
About the song
“London Bridge Is Falling Down” is a traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game. Two players make an arch with their arms, and the others walk underneath until the arch drops on “my fair lady” to catch someone. It’s been sung for hundreds of years, and there are many verses about how to build the bridge back up.
Play it
Press Play London Bridge at the top of this page to read it in Trebly’s Songs mode. Name each note as it arrives, and you’ll hear the tune come together. When you know it, try Play in time.