Scottish poet William Miller wrote the nursery rhyme 'Wee Willie Winkie' nearly 200 years ago in 1841.
It was a rhyme that would make him famous the world over, and a character forever associated with bedtime.
'Wee Willie Winkie' lyrics
Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, Up stairs and down stairs in his night-gown, Tapping at the window, crying at the lock, Are the children in their bed, for it's eight o'clock?
Hey, Willie Winkie, are you coming in? The cat is singing purring sounds to the sleeping hen, The dog's spread out on the floor, and doesn't give a cheep, But here's a wakeful little boy who will not fall asleep!
Anything but sleep, you rogue! glowering like the moon,' Rattling in an iron jug with an iron spoon, Rumbling, tumbling round about, crowing like a cock, Shrieking like I don't know what, waking sleeping folk.
Hey, Willie Winkie – the child's in a creel! Wriggling from everyone's knee like an eel, Tugging at the cat's ear, and confusing all her thrums Hey, Willie Winkie – see, there he comes!"
Weary is the mother who has a dusty child, A small short sturdy child, who can't run on his own, 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
Main image © Cleo Sara. Work Projects Administration Federal Art Project, Illinois, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons