“Twinkle, twinkle little star” is an English lullaby. The lyrics originate from a poem written by the writer Jane Taylor, who wrote a collection of nursery rhymes together with her sister Ann.

A star is compared to a little light in the dark, guiding the way when everything around you is dark. The song is therefore about the mystery and beauty of nature, and the role of light (both literal and figurative) in our lives. The well-known first stanza is very simple and sweet, but the original text has five stanzas and is a small poem about wonder and gratitude for the light.

The song is sung to the melody of the French tune ‘Ah! vous dirai-je, maman,’ but Jane Taylor’s English lyrics turned it into the iconic classic nursery rhyme in England. In the 19th century, the song was widely used in collections of children’s rhymes and in schools, which allowed it to be passed down from generation to generation.

A source of bright light shining in the dark of night is something that can help us on our way. It is also free to all. It lets us appreciate the beauty of the stars. Their light is always available on a clear night and even on cloudy nights.

I have to blame my Mum for introducing the tune to me as she hummed and sung the song before I fell asleep. Those moments are of course very special and fondly remembered.

My name is Mark Smithers. I have been living in Enschede for over 30 years after moving from the United Kingdom. I very much enjoy my work at the University of Twente at the Nanolab. I am married with three grown up children and enjoy playing ball sports.