Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor (1782–1866) was an English poet and children's writer. She is best known for her contributions to children's literature, including the enduringly popular hymn 'The Star.' Biography ↓More ↓

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Ann Taylor

For a Naughty Little Girl

My sweet little girl should be cheerful and mild She must not be fretful and cry! Oh! why is this passion? remember, my child, GOD sees you, who lives in the sky. That dear little face, that I like so to kiss, How alter'd and sad it appears! Do you think I can love you so naughty as this, Or kiss you, all wetted with tears? Remember, though GOD is in Heaven, my love, He sees you within and without, And always looks down, from His glory above, To notice what you are about. If I am not with you, or if it be dark, And nobody is in the way, His eye is as able your doings to mark, In the night as it is in the day.

Ann Taylor

The Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are ! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the trav'ller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often thro' my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky.

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The Baby's Dance

Dance little baby, dance up high, Never mind baby, mother is by; Crow and caper, caper and crow, There little baby, there you go; Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, Backwards and forwards, round and round; Dance little baby, and mother shall sing, With the merry coral, ding, ding, ding.

The Little Cripple's Complaint

I'm a helpless cripple child, Gentle Christians, pity me; Once, in rosy health I smiled, Blithe and gay as you can be, And upon the village green First in every sport was seen.

Now, alas! I'm weak and low, Cannot either work or play; Tottering on my crutches, slow, Thus I drag my weary way: Now no longer dance and sing, Gaily, in the merry ring.

Many sleepless nights I live, Turning on my weary bed; Softest pillows cannot give Slumber to my aching head; Constant anguish makes it fly From my heavy, wakeful eye.

And, when morning beams return, Still no comfort beams for me: Still my limbs with fever burn, Painful still my crippled knee. And another tedious day Passes slow and sad away.

From my chamber-window high, Lifted to my easy-chair, I the village-green can spy, Once I used to frolic there, March, or beat my new-bought drum; Happy times! no more to come.

There I see my fellows gay, Sporting on the daisied turf, And, amidst their cheerful play, Stopp'd by many a merry laugh; But the sight I scarce can bear, Leaning in my easy-chair.

Let not then the scoffing eye Laugh, my twisted leg to see: Gentle Christians, passing by, Stop awhile, and pity me, And for you I'll breathe a prayer, Leaning in my easy-chair.

About the Little Girl that Beat Her Sister

Go, go, my naughty girl, and kiss Your little sister dear; I must not have such things as this, And noisy quarrels here.

What! little children scratch and fight, That ought to be so mild; Oh! Mary, it's a shocking sight To see an angry child.

I can't imagine, for my part, The reason for your folly; She did not do you any hurt By playing with your dolly.

See, see, the little tears that run Fast from her watery eye: Come, my sweet innocent, have done, 'Twill do no good to cry.

Go, Mary, wipe her tears away, And make it up with kisses: And never turn a pretty play To such a pet as this is.

Biography

Ann Taylor was an English poet and children's author, born in 1782 in London and later residing in Essex and Nottingham. Along with her sister Jane Taylor, she authored the influential collection 'Original Poems for Infant Minds' (1804–1805) and later volumes such as 'Rhymes for the Nursery' (1806) and 'Hymns for Infant Minds' (1810). Her poetry is characterized by simple, memorable language and gentle moral instruction, often addressing everyday childhood experiences and spiritual themes. Among her best-known single poems is the lullaby-hymn 'The Star' ('Twinkle, twinkle, little star'), which pairs a childlike wonder at nature with a devotional sensibility. The Taylor sisters' works were groundbreaking for their time, shifting children's poetry away from didacticism toward a more engaging and child-centered voice. Ann's contributions to hymnody include texts that were widely sung in Sunday schools and family worship. Her writings remained in print throughout the 19th century and influenced later generations of children's poets. She died in 1866 in Nottingham, having spent her later years in quiet domestic life.

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