The ABC Song

Did you know that the ABC Song has been sung by children all over the world for over 170 years? This and other facts can be found below at Alphabet Song Facts.

If you are interested in seeing lyrics to various versions of the alphabet song visit alphabet song lyrics or scroll down the page.

Alphabet Song Facts

The ABC Song, also known as the Alphabet Song, has the same melody as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep and the French folk tune "Ah! Vous Dirais-je, Maman".

Charles Bradlee, copyrighted the song in 1835. He called it "The A.B.C., a German air with variations for the flute with an easy accompaniment for the piano forte".

Louis Le Maire, a composer during the 1700's, may have made arrangement of music.

Traditional ABC Song

Lyrics: (each line represents a measure, or four beats)

a-b-c-d-e-f-g, (the comma denotes a short pause)
h-i-j-k-l-m-n-o-p, (l-m-n-o spoken twice as quickly as rest of rhyme)
q-r-s-t-u-v, (short pause between s and t)
w-x-y and z, (w lasts for two beats)
Now I've sung my A, B, C's, (or: Now I know my A, B, C's)
Tell me what you think of me. (or: "Tell me what that means to me." or: Won't you come and play with me. or: Next time won't you sing with me.)

ABC Song Variations

A: you're an alphabet
B: you're a belly button
C: you're a cantaloupe with arms
D: you're delirious
E: you're an elephant
F: you're the fairy of my arms
G: you're a goony goon
H: you're a hairy loon
I: you're an icky dicky doo
J: you've got joppy knees
k: klaustrophobia (sp)
l: you've got leprosy too!
M, N: you're a maniac
O: you're an octopus-pus-pus-pus
P:, Q: particularly queer
R, S, T,: responsible for stupid things
U: pick your nose in bed
V: you're a vomit head
W, X, Y, Z