Sister Star

The tune we associate with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star wasn’t written by Mozart, but it’s frequently attributed to the classical composer. Mozart is old enough to have composed the piece. Ah! vous dirai-je, maman (French for “Oh! Would I Tell You, Mother”) was published in 1761. Mozart turned five that year, but he already had at least three documented compositions under his belt. Two decades later Mozart wrote twelve variations on the simple folk song, which is doubtless the reason for all the confusion. Ah! vous dirai-je, maman is also the tune we sing when we teach a child the alphabet. And when you sing Baa Baa Black Sheep? Yep. Same tune. If you watched Sesame Street, you might recognize my personal favorite:

“Whistle, whistle little bird. Isn't eating crumbs absurd?

Try a ham and cheese on rye and a piece of cherry pie.

If those crumbs are all you want, don't come in my restaurant.”