This is one of my favorite nursery rhymes, even though I don’t remember it from my own childhood. I didn’t know until researching for this post that there were other verses, and I’m so happy there are. Our kids have had their fair share of tough bedtimes, so I’m happy to read in this I’m not alone.
With lines like,
But here’s a wakeful little boy who will not fall asleep!
and
Shrieking like I don’t know what, waking sleeping folk.
I’m feeling that perhaps the poet, William Miller, had similar experiences with his children. I gotta say, I was also bolstered to read that the original lyrics say “10 o’clock” and not “8 o’clock,” since my kids have had their share of being very stubborn with bedtimes.
“Wee Willie Winkie” was first published in 1841 in Whistle Binkie: Stories for the Fireside by Scottish poet, William Miller.
You can read the full lyrics here, my favorite lines being the last ones:
Who always has a battle with sleep before he’ll close an eye
But a kiss from his rosy lips gives strength anew to me
How sweet is this mama, and I love her Scottish accent, which is perfect for this Scottish nursery rhyme.
You can hear the full song in Scots here. Such a treat to hear this if you have the Facebook, and you’ve gotta stay tuned for the lullaby that follows.