Learning music can feel overwhelming, especially when you see sheet music filled with notes and lines. London Bridge Is Falling Down Tonic Solfa makes it simple. By using tonic solfa, you can see the notes, sing them accurately, and even play them on the piano without relying on staff notation or guesswork.
Parents teaching children, nursery teachers, and beginner pianists will find this guide invaluable. It walks you step by step, explaining the tonic solfa notes, practice strategies, and helpful tips to master the song confidently.
With years of experience teaching children, choirs, and beginners, I understand the common challenges—forgetting notes, losing rhythm, or singing off-pitch. This guide focuses on teaching and understanding, so you can enjoy learning the song and performing it correctly from the very first practice.
A Short Background
“London Bridge Is Falling Down” is a classic English nursery rhyme that dates back hundreds of years. It’s been sung by children all over the world — from classrooms to playgrounds.
Because it’s repetitive and catchy, it’s a favorite among music teachers who use it to introduce solfa syllables (do, re, mi) to beginners.
London Bridge is Falling Down Lyrics
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair Lady.
Build it up with wood and clay,
Wood and clay, wood and clay,
Build it up with wood and clay,
My fair Lady.
Wood and clay will wash away,
Wash away, wash away,
Wood and clay will wash away,
My fair Lady.
Build it up with bricks and mortar,
Bricks and mortar, bricks and mortar,
Build it up with bricks and mortar,
My fair Lady.
Bricks and mortar will not stay,
Will not stay, will not stay,
Bricks and mortar will not stay,
My fair Lady.
Build it up with iron and steel,
Iron and steel, iron and steel,
Build it up with iron and steel,
My fair Lady.
Iron and steel will bend and bow,
Bend and bow, bend and bow,
Iron and steel will bend and bow,
My fair Lady.
Build it up with silver and gold,
Silver and gold, silver and gold,
Build it up with silver and gold,
My fair Lady.
Silver and gold will be stolen away,
Stolen away, stolen away,
Silver and gold will be stolen away,
My fair Lady.
Set a man to watch all nigh,
Watch all night, watch all night,
Set a man to watch all night,
My fair Lady.
Suppose the man should fall asleep,
Fall asleep, fall asleep,
Suppose the man should fall asleep?
My fair Lady.
Give him a pipe to smoke all night,
Smoke all night, smoke all night,
Give him a pipe to smoke all night,
My fair Lady.
London Bridge is Falling Down Tonic Solfa
Here’s the tonic solfa for the melody. Each syllable represents a note to sing or play.
Line 1
Lon – don bridge
s l s
Line 2
Is fall- ing down
f m f s
Line 3
Fall – ing down
r m f
Line 4
Fall – ing down
m f s
Line 5
Lon – don bridge
s l s
Line 6
Is fall- ing down
f m f s
Line 7
My dear la – dy
r s m d
Downloadable PDF
Want a printable London Bridge Is Falling Down Tonic Solfa sheet ? Click below to download it and practice anytime:
Download London Bridge Is Falling Down Tonic Solfa PDF
If you enjoyed London Bridge Is Falling Down, you’ll love learning these next:
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Tonic Solfa
- Mary Had a Little Lamb Tonic Solfa
- Row Row Row Your Boat Tonic Solfa
- Practical Way to Master Tonic Solfa for Beginners
- What Are Note Values in Music
- How to Find the Tonic Solfa of Any Song
- 10 Ear Training Techniques For Musicians
Each of these songs uses similar notes — perfect for practice!
Tip: Play slowly and say the solfa syllables out loud (do, re, mi).
Practice each line until it feels smooth before joining them together.
London Bridge is Falling Down Tonic Solfa Video
Here’s a great video to help you learn the tonic solfa for London Bridge Is Falling Down.
Final Thoughts
Learning London Bridge Is Falling Down with the correct tonic solfa makes it easier and more fun for both kids and adults. Use this guide for practice, teaching, or play, and enjoy the process of singing and playing one of the most classic nursery rhymes. With the solfa in hand, you can confidently bring the melody to life!
