London’s Burning

London’s Burning is a traditional English children’s round that combines vivid imagery, and playful musical learning.

Children’s song, England (U.K.)

“London’s Burning” is one of the best-known traditional children’s rounds in the English-speaking world. Simple and repetitive, it invites groups of children to sing in overlapping parts, creating a lively echo effect while teaching musical coordination and timing.

Beyond its musical charm, the song has strong educational value. It helps children develop listening skills, rhythm awareness, and cooperation, while its dramatic subject matter sparks curiosity about history and everyday life in earlier centuries.

Teachers and parents often use it for movement games or cross-curricular activities that combine music, storytelling, and history, showing how a centuries-old melody can still engage children today.

Here you can watch a karaoke video and download a karaoke mp3 audio for personal or educational use.

Table of Contents

• London’s Burning Karaoke Video
• London’s Burning Lyrics
• More Children’s songs in English
• London’s Burning karaoke (Free mp3 download)
  • Commercial License (karaoke)
• Song Info

London’s Burning Karaoke Video

London’s Burning Lyrics

London’s burning, London’s burning.
Fetch the engines, fetch the engines.
Fire fire, Fire Fire!
Pour on water, pour on water.

More Children’s songs in English

London’s Burning karaoke
(Free mp3 download)

To download your free karaoke mp3 of this song, right click on the following link, then choose “Save link as…”

“London’s Burning” free mp3 download (instrumental, 1:13 – 3/4 – 111 bpm)

Not sure which license is best for you?

Read our licensing FAQ or contact us!

Buy our entire album with
30 Favourite Nursery Rhymes Vol. 1
+ 20 Instrumental versions of songs for kids
INFO

Song Info

The origins of “London’s Burning” trace back to the late 16th century. The earliest known version, titled “Scotland, It Burneth”, appears in a 1580 manuscript from Cambridge University’s King’s College. That form predates the Great Fire of London by nearly a century, suggesting the song’s melody and idea of a burning city existed before it became associated with the 1666 disaster. Later, the lyrics were adapted to refer to London, turning it into a musical reflection—real or imagined—of the city’s historical fires.

Although many assume the rhyme directly describes the Great Fire of London, historians caution that this connection is probably retrospective. Still, the theme of calling for engines and pouring on water fits well with the era’s growing awareness of organized firefighting. Primitive fire engines already existed in 17th-century London, giving the song a touch of realism even if it wasn’t originally composed for that event.

Over time, “London’s Burning” became a staple of English nursery-rhyme tradition and was passed down through oral teaching, printed songbooks, and classroom repertoires. It has many variations worldwide—such as “Scotland’s Burning” and Dutch versions like “Brand in Mokum”—which preserve its memorable melody while adapting the words to local contexts.

Today, it remains a favorite for group singing, musical training, and introducing children to the art of rounds.

Liked it? Pin it!

Did you like this post? Rate it!

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading...

You may also like:

Mango Kiwi Banana (Fruit canon)

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Finger Family (Daddy Finger)

Bingo Song

London Bridge Is Falling Down