Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

France, England

HISTORY AND SONG NOTES

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, also known as Twinkle, is a traditional favorite with a multi-cultural history. The tune originated in France in the 18th century as the folksong Ah! vous dirai-je, maman. The melody is used as the basis of other folksongs in addition to Twinkle: for instance ABC and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, and also appears within several classical compositions, including Mozart’s piano piece Twelve Variations on Ah vous dirai-je, Maman, also known as Twinkle Variations. The lyrics that we know today for Twinkle were written by English poet Jane Taylor (1783-1824), published in 1806.

This song works well as a song for beautiful group singing, particularly since this song is familiar to most young children and can be sung with confidence. While listening to or singing this song, the children may rock their bodies to feel the beat and meter of the song. They can also experience singing piano, legato, and creating smooth phrases with their voices. The children may also enjoy making “twinkle fingers,” by softly tapping their fingers together with the beat of the song, while they listen or sing.

In addition to the first verse in the score above, there are additional verses to Twinkle that the children may enjoy listening to or singing:

When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveller 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.

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