Full Lyrics
Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown,
Rapping at the window, crying through the lock,
"Are all the children in their beds?
It's past eight o'clock!"
Hey, Willie Winkie, are you coming in?
The cat is singing purring sounds to the sleeping hen,
The dog's sprawled on the floor, and doesn't give a cheep,
But here's a wakeful little boy who will not fall asleep!
Wee Willie Winkie rins through the toun,
Up stairs and doon stairs in his nicht-goun,
Tirlin' at the window, crying at the lock,
"Are the weans in their bed? For it's noo ten o'clock."
About This Song
"Wee Willie Winkie" was written by Scottish poet William Miller in 1841 and first published in Whistle-Binkie: Stories for the Fireside. The original was written in Scots dialect and was later translated into standard English.
Willie Winkie represents a friendly nighttime figure who goes from house to house checking that all children are safely tucked in bed. His name likely comes from the Scottish word "winkie" meaning to close the eyes or sleep.
The rhyme served as a gentle reminder for children that bedtime had arrived, making it a perfect transitional lullaby that has been sung to children for nearly two centuries.