subject: A Brief History of the Alphabet Song [print this page] A Brief History of the Alphabet Song A Brief History of the Alphabet Song
What is the Alphabet Song used for?
The Alphabet song has been sung since time immemorial. Most likely, your parents have taught you the Alphabet song, as your parents' parents, and the many parents before them. The Alphabet song has been used as method in teaching children the alphabet. Kindergartens, schools and homes around the world have used the infamous Alphabet song. Alphabet songs follow the alphabetic principle, in which letters, or the combination of which, are used as symbols that denote speech sounds of a certain language.
Where did the Alphabet Song come from?
Perhaps, the most common of all versions of the Alphabet song is that of English language: "The A.B.C". "The A.B.C." isn't the English language's only Alphabet song, however, it is its most famous and most frequently referred to 'The Alphabet Song', particularly in the US.
Charles Bradlee, who is a music publisher, in 1835, first copyrighted the Alphabet song. The Alphabet song's melody is attributed to the ever-famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This melody was his composition entitled 'Twelve Variations on'Ah vous dirai-je Maman'. Interestingly, the Alphabet song's famous tune is also the same as that of two other popular nursery ryhmes, which are 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and 'Baa baa Black Sheep'.
The Lyrics and Variations of the Alphabet Song
True to its name, the lyrics of the Alphabet song are that of the 26 letters of the English alphabet. The Alphabet song has been sung in various ways, one of the most popular of which is the one below:
a-b-c-d-e-f-g
h-i-j-k-lmnop
lmnop-q-r-s-t (lmnop is repeated twice)
u-v-w-x-y-z
In some cases, the way "z" is pronounced in the Alphabet song is differed. It depends on which part of the world the Alphabet song is sung. In the US, the letter "z" is pronounced as 'zee'. However, in other English countries, the alphabet 'z' is pronounced and sung in the Alphabet song as 'zed'.
Variations in the Alphabet song do not only lie in how it was sung, but also in what was sung. In some variations of the song, changes were made to incorporate words that rhymed with 'zed'. In others, the use of phonic sounds is present.
Truly, this song has been made and re-made through the years. It has helped millions of individuals learn the alphabet in a fun and entertaining way.
