Nursery rhyme lyrics
The ABC Song (Alphabet Song) Lyrics
The words to The ABC Song (Alphabet Song), with simple actions to do together and a little history for curious grown-ups.
The ABC Song (Alphabet Song) full lyrics
A B C D E F G,
H I J K L M N O P,
Q R S, T U V,
W X, Y and Z.
Now I know my ABCs,
Next time won't you sing with me?
Traditional, public domain. Many families sing slightly different versions.
Watch our ABC Class Song video
Want more ideas? Read how to teach a toddler the alphabet.
Actions to do together
- Point to each letter on a poster or in a book as you sing.
- Sing slowly so "L M N O P" doesn't blur into one word.
- Clap once for every letter.
What your child learns
- The order of the letters
- Letter names, especially when paired with visuals
- A first step towards recognising letters
Where does The ABC Song (Alphabet Song) come from?
The alphabet song was published in the United States in 1835 and is sung to the same melody as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. In Australia, the UK and other places that say "zed", some families change the ending so the rhyme still works.
Questions parents ask
Is the ABC song the same tune as Twinkle Twinkle?
Yes. Both use the same 18th-century melody.
Why do children sing "elemenopee"?
L, M, N, O and P are sung quickly in the song, so many children think it's one word. Singing slowly and pointing to the letters helps.