Notes

The words to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" come from a poem by British author Jane Taylor called "The Star" (published in 1806). The tune is even older. It comes from France and was first published in 1761.

Here's the poem the lyrics are based on:

The Star
by Jane Taylor

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 traveler 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 through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark,-
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Comments

You can read more about the origins of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on Mama Lisa's World Blog.

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Thanks to all the girls at Lila's party for singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!

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2nd mp3 performed by 17 talented university student musicians who were sisters in the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women at California State University-Stanislaus in 2007. The musical score the recording is based on comes from Our Old Nursery Rhymes (1911) arranged by Alfred Moffat.

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Thanks and Acknowledgements

Thanks to J. Dave McHaney for suggesting this song. Thanks also to Isa Santoveña for the midi music. Thanks to Lila for the painting. The second two illustrations come from Phebe, the Blackberry Girl, Uncle Thomas's Stories for Good Children (copyright 1847). The 4th ilustration is by H. Willebeck Le Mair from Our Old Nursery Rhymes (1911), arranged by Alfred Moffat.

Thanks so much!