London Bridge: Spanish version of a classic children’s song

There are several Spanish versions of London Bridge, the British children’s song. In Spanish it is called Este puente va a caer or Este puente se cayó. The tune of all the versions is the same, and the meaning is similar, with slight variations. The familiar tune and ideas make it easier to teach the song to Spanish language learners. Many children also know the game that goes with the song, where they make a bridge with their arms and catch the child who is underneath as they sing the last line.

This is the simplest, shortest version of London Bridge in Spanish:

Este puente va a caer, a caer, a caer
Este puente va a caer sobre éste(a).

This bridge is going to fall, going to fall, going to fall
This bridge is going to fall on this one (this boy or girl).

This is another popular version:

Este puente va a caer, va a caer, va a caer
Este puente va a caer, ya ha caído
Cómo vamos a cruzar, a cruzar, a cruzar
Cómo vamos a cruzar este río
En barquitos de papel, de papel de papel
En barquitos de papel, lo cruzamos

This bridge is going to fall, going to fall, going to fall
This bridge is going to fall, it’s already fallen
How are we going to cross, going to cross, going to cross
How are we going to cross this river
In paper boats, paper boats
In paper boats we are going to cross it.

You can hear Group Encanto singing this version of London Bridge in Spanish here.

It is available on their CD Cantajuego Vol. 1.

You can also buy the mp3 of Este puente va a caer by Grupo Encanto.

Finally, Luis Pescetti sings my favorite version of this song. It is called Este puente se cayó. There are lots of verses and if you happen to know all the verses in English, the Spanish lyrics match those fairly closely. Although it might be easier to start with a simpler and shorter version of the song with beginners, this is a wonderful arrangement. Luis is generous enough to provide the mp3 and the lyrics of this version of London Bridge in Spanish on his website, and you can watch a video of him singing London Bridge in Spanish here.