The A.B.C.
This is one of the best-known English language alphabet songs, and perhaps the one most frequently referred to as "the alphabet song" especially in the United States.
The song was first copyrighted in 1835 by the Boston-based music publisher Charles Bradlee, and given the title "The A.B.C., a German air with variations for the flute with an easy accompaniment for the piano forte". The musical arrangement was attributed to Louis Le Maire (sometimes Lemaire), an 18th century composer. This was "Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1835, by C. Bradlee, in the clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts", according to the Newberry Library [1] , which also says, "The theme is that used by Mozart for his piano variations, Ah, vous dirai-je, maman." [2] This tune is more commonly recognizable as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".
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-lmnop, (l-m-n-o spoken twice as quickly as rest of rhyme)
- q-r-s, t-u-v, (pause between s and t)
- w--x--y-and-z, (w and x last for two beats)
- Now I know my ABCs,
- next time won't you sing with me ?