The Alphabet Song (ABC Song) Lyrics
Most English-speaking children can sing it before they can read a single word. The ABC song is the first way many of them learn that the alphabet has an order, and it shares its tune with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
The Alphabet Song (ABC Song)
A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P,
Q, R, S, and T, U, V,
W, X, and Y and Z.
Now I've said my A, B, C,
Tell me what you think of me.
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/alphabet-song/
- Type
- Mother Goose
- First published
- 1835
- Tune
- Ah! vous dirai-je, maman (same as Twinkle Twinkle)
- Best for ages
- 2 to 5 years
What Does The Alphabet Song (ABC Song) Mean?
The song is a memory aid. Singing the letters to a melody splits them into short groups that are easy to remember: A to G, H to P, Q to V, and W to Z. The last two lines are just a friendly ending.
The text here is an early printed version, which ends by asking "what you think of me". Today most children sing a newer ending asking a friend to join in next time. Both are sung to the same tune.
History and Origin
The song was copyrighted in 1835 by Charles Bradlee, a music publisher in Boston, under the title The A.B.C., a German air with variations for the flute. The "German air" is the same French melody used for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Baa Baa Black Sheep, the tune Mozart wrote a famous set of piano variations on.
In Britain, where the last letter is said "zed", the rhyme with "me" no longer works, which is why British children often learn slightly different endings.
Learning Activities
- Slow down L-M-N-O-P: many children think "elemenopee" is one long letter. Sing that line slowly while pointing to each letter on a chart.
- Name game: stop the song on the first letter of your child's name and let them jump up.
- Magnetic letters: lay out fridge letters in order as you sing, one letter per note.