London Bridge

Source: Games For The Playground, Home, School And Gymnasium
Category: SINGING GAMES



_6 to 30 or more players._

_Indoors; out of doors._


London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady!

Build it up with iron bars,
Iron bars, iron bars.
Build it up with iron bars,
My fair lady!

Iron bars will bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break,
Iron bars will bend and break,
My fair lady!

Build it up with gold and silver, etc.
Gold and silver will be stolen away, etc.

Get a man to watch all night, etc.
Suppose the man should fall asleep? etc.

Put a pipe into his mouth, etc.
Suppose the pipe should fall and break? etc.

Get a dog to bark all night, etc.
Suppose the dog should meet a bone? etc.

Get a cock to crow all night, etc.
Here's a prisoner I have got, etc.

What's the prisoner done to you? etc.
Stole my hat and lost my keys, etc.

A hundred pounds will set him free, etc.
A hundred pounds he has not got, etc.

Off to prison he must go, etc.

Two of the tallest players represent a bridge by facing each other,
clasping hands, and holding them high for the others to pass under.
The other players, in a long line, holding each other by the hand or
dress, pass under the arch while the verses are sung alternately by
the players representing the bridge and those passing under, those
forming the arch singing the first and alternate verses and the last
"Off to prison." As the words


"Here's a prisoner I have got"

are sung, the players representing the bridge drop their arms around
the one who happens to be passing under at the time. The succeeding
verses are then sung to "Off to prison he must go." During this last
one the prisoner is led off to one side to a place supposed to be a
prison, and is there asked in a whisper or low voice to choose between
two valuable objects, represented by the two bridge players who have
previously agreed which each shall represent, such as a "diamond
necklace" or a "gold piano." The prisoner belongs to the side which he
thus chooses. When all have been caught, the prisoners line up behind
their respective leaders (who have up to this time been the holders of
the bridge), clasp each other around the waist, and a tug of war
takes place, the side winning which succeeds in pulling its opponent
across a given line.

Where a large number of players are taking part, say over ten, the
action may be made much more rapid and interesting by forming several
spans or arches to the bridge instead of only one, and by having the
players run instead of walk under. There is thus much more activity
for each player, and the prisoners are all caught much sooner.

This is a very ancient game, supposed to have originated in the
custom of making a foundation sacrifice at the building of a
bridge. The tug of war is thought by Mr. Newell possibly to
signify a contest between powers of good and evil for the soul
of the victim sacrificed.


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