What Three Songs Share a Common Melody?

The three sets of lyrics for children that all share a common melody are the ABC Song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Baa Baa Black Sheep. These are all variations of a 1761 French melody called Ah vous dirais-je, Maman by Bouin.

Many people think Mozart composed this melody. In fact, he wrote twelve variations of Bouin's work which brought it to a larger audience.

While listening to this melody, do you first think of the ABC Song?…

A,B,C,D,E,F,G…
H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,
Q,R,S,T,U,V,
W,X,Y,and Z
now I know my ABC’s
won’t you sing along with me?

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?…

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
how I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
like a diamond in the sky…?

Or Baa Baa Black Sheep?

Bah, bah black sheep have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full,
One for my master and one for my dame
And one for the little girl who lives down the lane…?

Any one of these is a correct answer!

I remember the first time I realized that the ABC Song and Twinkle, Twinkle were the same melody. I felt like some secret of the universe had been revealed. Now you are in on the secret. Enjoy!

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