Together with ABC Song and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star shares the same tune with the famous French song “Ah! vous dirais-je, Maman” from 1761. The lyrics of the song are based on a poem by Jane Taylor called “The Star” which appeared in 1806 in a volume published by the same author and her sister Ann Taylor “Rhymes for the Nursery”.

As one of the most beloved lullabies, it has been translated in many languages including Italian (Bella Stella), German (Funkel, funkel, kleine Stern), Spanish (Estrellita), and even Esperanto (Brilu, brilu, eta stel’).

Generally, a shorter version is sung but you can find the full lyrics below.

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” Lyrics

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 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.

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

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
How I wonder what you are.

It is one of the most beloved nursery rhymes, having its origins in the very popular superstition that when you see a falling star you can make a wish that will be accomplished.

Stars have been always a subject of wonderment for people and especially the beauty of such rare moments like seeing a shooting star on the sky developed in the belief that something wonderful must be happening.

Of course even knowing that falling stars are actually meteors, the visible path of meteoroids as they enter in the Earth’s atmosphere, and not stars, the beauty of the moment remains and so does the tradition.

“Star Light, Star Bright” Lyrics

Star light, star bright,
The first star I see tonight;
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.