Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is one of the first songs many children learn. The words come from "The Star", a five-verse poem by the English writer Jane Taylor, first published in 1806 and sung to an older French melody.
- Written by
- Jane Taylor (died 1824)
- In the video
- Super Simple Songs
- Context
- "The Star", from Rhymes for the Nursery (1806) by Ann and Jane Taylor
- Year
- 1806
- Language
- English
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star lyrics
All five verses of Jane Taylor's original poem.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Then the trav'ller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky you keep, And often thro' my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky.
'Tis your bright and tiny spark, Lights the trav'ller in the dark: Tho' I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
The story behind Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Jane Taylor (1783-1824) and her sister Ann published Rhymes for the Nursery in London in 1806. "The Star" was Jane's contribution, a gentle poem in which a child wonders at a star from the bedroom window.
The poem was soon matched with the French tune "Ah! vous dirai-je, maman", first published in 1761. The same melody is known from Mozart's set of twelve piano variations on it and is also used for the alphabet song and "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep".
Most people know only the first verse, but the original poem continues for four more, following the star through the night and thanking it for guiding the traveller in the dark.
What Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star means
The poem is built on a child's sense of wonder. The star is small and far away, "like a diamond in the sky", and the singer does not know what it really is, only that it shines.
The later verses give the star a kind purpose: it shines when the sun has gone, lights the traveller who would otherwise be lost, and peeps through the curtains until morning. The ending returns to the opening question and lets it remain a mystery.
Its short lines, simple rhymes and comforting picture of a faithful light in the dark make it a natural lullaby.
Quick facts
- Written by Jane Taylor (1783-1824) as the poem "The Star".
- First published in Rhymes for the Nursery (1806) by Ann and Jane Taylor.
- Sung to the French melody "Ah! vous dirai-je, maman", published in 1761.
- The original poem has five verses.