Let the feet go tramp, tramp, tramp, Let the hands go clap, clap, clap, Let the fin-ger beck-on thee, Come, dear play-mate, skip with me. Tra la la la la la la, La la la la la la la, La la la la la la la, La la la la la. ]
The players form a circle with from one to five in the center, according to the number of players. All of the players, both circle and center, sing the verse, suiting the action to the words with stamping of the feet for "Tramp, tramp, tramp!" and clapping of the hands for "Clap, clap, clap!" As the last line, "Come dear friend and skip with me," is sung, each child in the center beckons to one in the circle, who steps in and joins hands with the little partner as they stand facing each other. These partners in the center then dance around in time to the chorus "La, la," and the circle players may also join hands and dance in a circle.
Lon-don bridge is fall-ing down, Fall-ing down, fall-ing down, Lon-don bridge is fall-ing down, My fair la-dy. ]
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.
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,--