Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

nursery rhyme

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Last updated

July 17, 2026

Quick Summary

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is a popular nursery rhyme. The lyrics originated from an English poem titled "The Star," written by Jane Taylor and published in 1806. The melody commonly associated with the rhyme is from an older French folk song called "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman," first published in 1761. The composer of this melody remains unknown.1

While it's a common misconception that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed the tune, he did create a set of piano variations based on "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman" in the early 1780s. The rhyme is also known for its melody being used for other songs, including "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" and the alphabet song.1

The phenomenon of stars appearing to twinkle is an optical illusion caused by Earth's atmosphere, not by the stars themselves.2

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Did Mozart Write “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”?
…to English speakers as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Indeed, it is commonly believed that the tune was one of Mozart’s earliest compositions, written when he was a child for his elder sister, Nannerl. Alas, the story isn’t true.
Read More
…to English speakers as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Indeed, it is commonly believed that the tune was one of Mozart’s earliest compositions, written when he was a child for his elder sister, Nannerl. Alas, the story isn’t true.
Read More