LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN
"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady.
Build it up with iron bars, iron bars, iron bars,
Build it up with iron bars, my fair lady."
a closer look
London Bridge is Falling Down; a gently lilting ditty secreting a rumoured dark truth regarding the foundations of the bridge itself. In this design, Sabina has played on the ancient tradition (still in existence) that the Freemen of London are permitted to drive sheep annually across London Bridge.
In this scene, a pair of gentle baby lambs are balanced atop a crumbling stone plinth, batting their long eyelashes and sporting beautifully soft and glistening curls. However, the pedestal looks set to give way at any moment, while behind, Old London Bridge begins to collapse into the Thames. The freshly hatched ducklings are taking their chances by risking a leap into the rushing current below. Despite impending disaster, the eye is drawn first to the big blue eyes of the lambs, and their glossy, luxurious ribbons, distracting from the peril of the scene. The botanical wildflowers evoke a dreamlike, bucolic feeling, while one lamb poignantly holds a sprig of forget-me-not in its mouth.