Oranges and Lemons

game

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

"Oranges and Lemons" is an old singing game, often played by children, that is similar to "London Bridge." In this game, two children form an arch with their arms, representing "oranges" and "lemons." Other children file under the arch while singing a rhyme that references church bells in London.12

During the song, the children forming the arch will lower their arms to "capture" a child. The captured child then chooses to be on the "oranges" or "lemons" side. Once all children are captured and have chosen sides, the two teams engage in a tug-of-war to determine the winner. The game was an Olympic event from 1900 to 1920.1

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tug-of-war
…the British singing game “Oranges and Lemons,” which concerns the bells of the churches of London. Two children form an arch with their arms: one child is “oranges” and one is “lemons.” All the children file under the arch while singing:
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…the British singing game “Oranges and Lemons,” which concerns the bells of the churches of London. Two children form an arch with their arms: one child is “oranges” and one is “lemons.” All the children file under the arch while singing:
Read More