The following nursery rhyme is much older, yet there are so many similarities with the one above that it is undoubtedly related. This one possibly refers to the connection of the River Lee and London Bridge. It is thought to be of some very ancient date, when London Bridge was lying in ruins.
An alternative interpretation of the rhyme contends that Lady Lee refers to Lady Margaret Wyatt, who married Sir Anthony Lee of Quarrendon, thereby becoming Lady Lee. Lady Lee was a close friend of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife and this interpretation sees the rhyme as an allegory of the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, the gay lady.
London Bridge is broken down,
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
London Bridge is broken down,
With a gay lady.
How shall we build it up again?
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
How shall we build it up again?
With a gay lady.
Silver and gold will he stolen away,
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
Silver and gold will be stolen away,
With a gay lady.
Build it up with iron and steel.
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
Build it up with iron and steel,
With a gay lady.
Iron and steel will bend and bow,
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
Iron and steel will bend and bow,
With a gay lady.
Build it up with wood and clay,
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
Build it up with wood and clay,
With a gay lady.
Wood and clay will wash away,
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
Wood and clay will wash away,
With a gay lady.
Build it up with stone so strong,
Dance o'er my Lady Lee;
Huzza! 'twill last for ages long,
With a gay lady.