London Bridge survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 but its arches and foundations were weakened. (Buildings with thatched roofs were banned in London following the Great Fire of 1666 and this ban was only lifted with the construction of the New Globe Theater in 1994 - the following website is highly recommended for further details of the Globe william-shakespeare.info
The Modern Re-builds! In the 1820s a new London Bridge was built on another site, north of the old one. This new bridge opened in 1831 and the old bridge was demolished. In the 1960s yet another London Bridge was built. The London Bridge of 1831 was transported, stone by stone, to Lake Havasu in Arizona, USA. NB There is another Nursery Rhyme called 'London bridge is broken down' - its origins relate to Queen Anne Boleyn - fascinating! And for other surprising revelations about Executions, Torturers and Lord Mayors check out London Bells a Nursery Rhyme containing the original lyrics to Oranges and Lemons! London bridge is falling down - Nursery Rhyme 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 - Nursery Rhyme |