Joni's lighthearted take on "london bridge" was a crowd pleaser in her mid-sixties club show, before she signed her first recording contract. this transcription spoken patter Combined with her music, enchanted audiences in the early days when joni was playing the smaller, more intimate venues she has always enjoyed most.
(spoken are in italics)
London bridge is down See the in my town the ones who bring it down (it's they've been for centuries, by it and saying, you know, London bridge really is down, poor thing, It just down in shame) My fair
London is falling up the tea leaves in my cup Guess the cup is up My fair (I'll have to get a one)
London is up for sale Booze heads put my friend in my bridge money on bail My lady-o (sure would've like to have that bridge) (couldn't let him go to jail)
If the belonged to me I serve you tarts and tea Smiles, that's all the would be (don't grant you people would be across at all) My lady-o
On the bridge stands a car with peculiar flowers It's the beatles' it's not (guess looking at the bridge) (hope buy it) My fair
London is falling down (something that) London bridge is coming Coming down on london Ice melting in my fridge
(they always, do you know those fridges are terrible, they're always melting things and ice are dripping all over the floor) (and the vegetables are all rotten and your friend turns to you in her british way and she says: "you know I paid two bob for this. it smells a bit peculiar doesn't it, but don't you t .. well, we can it anyway" and she does)
Coming on london bridge Mutton rotting in my Coming (a little electronic music for your pleasure) down on london bridge My lady-o