The Traditional Children's Games of England Scotland
& Ireland In Dictionary Form - Volume 1

With Tunes(sheet music), Singing-rhymes(lyrics), Methods Of Playing with diagrams and illustrations.

Share page

Visit Us On FB

	348                             LONDON BRIDGE versions" (Notes and Queries, ii. 338). In Chronicles of London Bridge, pp. 152, 153, the author says he obtained the following note from a Bristol correspondent:—"About forty years ago, one moonlight night in the streets of Bristol, my attention was attracted by a dance and chorus of boys and girls, to which the words of this ballad gave measure. The breaking down of the Bridge was announced as the dancers moved round in a circle hand in hand, and the question, 1 How shall we build it up again ?' was chanted by the leader while the rest stood still." This correspondent also sent the tune the children sang, which is printed in the Chronicles of London Bridge. This was evidently the same game, but it would appear that the verses have also been used as a song, and it would be interesting to find out which is the more ancient of the two—the song or the game; and to do this it is necessary that we should know something of the history of the song. A correspondent of Notes and Queries (ii. 338) speaks of it as a "lullaby song" well known in the southern part of Kent and in Lincolnshire. In the Gentle­man's Magazine (1823, Part II. p. 232) appeared the following interestingnote:— The projected demolition of London Bridge recalls to my mind the introductory lines of an old ballad which more than seventy years ago I heard plaintively warbled by a lady who was born in the reign of Charles II., and who lived till nearly the end of that of George II. I now transcribe the lines, not as possessing any great intrinsic merit, but in the hope of learning from some intelligent correspondent the name of the author and the story which gave rise to the ballad, for it pro­bably originated in some accident that happened to the old bridge. The " Lady Lea " evidently refers to the river of that name, the favourite haunt of Isaac Walton, which, after fer­tilising the counties of Hertford, Essex, and Middlesex, glides into the Thames. London Bridge is broken down, Dance over the Lady Lea; London Bridge is broken down, With a gay lady [la-dee].