✦ A Classic Poem ✦

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

A bedtime lullaby by Eugene Field, 1889

Three little fishermen sail off in a wooden shoe to cast their nets among the stars. Listen to the read-aloud, follow along with the words below, or take the story home as a picture book.

Watch the Read-Aloud See the Picture Book

Read aloud by Storyland Classics  ✦  2 min 54 sec  ✦  Watch on YouTube

✦ The Poem ✦

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

by Eugene Field, first published in 1889 as “Dutch Lullaby.” Public domain.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe,— Sailed on a river of crystal light, Into a sea of dew. “Where are you going, and what do you wish?” The old moon asked the three. “We have come to fish for the herring fish That live in this beautiful sea; Nets of silver and gold have we!” Said Wynken, Blynken, And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song, As they rocked in the wooden shoe, And the wind that sped them all night long Ruffled the waves of dew. The little stars were the herring fish That lived in that beautiful sea— “Now cast your nets wherever you wish— Never afeard are we”; So cried the stars to the fishermen three: Wynken, Blynken, And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw To the stars in the twinkling foam— Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe, Bringing the fishermen home; ’Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed As if it could not be, And some folks thought ’twas a dream they’d dreamed Of sailing that beautiful sea— But I shall name you the fishermen three: Wynken, Blynken, And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, And Nod is a little head, And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies Is a wee one’s trundle-bed. So shut your eyes while mother sings Of wonderful sights that be, And you shall see the beautiful things As you rock in the misty sea, Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three: Wynken, Blynken, And Nod.

✦ About the Poem ✦

A Voyage into Sleep

Eugene Field (1850–1895) was a Chicago newspaper columnist who became best known for his verses for children, which earned him the nickname “the Poet of Childhood.” He first published this poem in 1889 under the title “Dutch Lullaby,” and it has been read and sung at bedtime ever since.

For most of the poem, it reads like a sea adventure: a talking moon, stars that swim like fish, and nets of silver and gold. The last verse lets listeners in on the secret. Wynken and Blynken are a child’s two sleepy eyes, Nod is the little head, and the wooden shoe is the bed. The whole voyage is the journey into sleep.

✦ For Teachers & Homeschoolers ✦

Free Printable Teacher Guide

An 8-page printable companion for Wynken, Blynken, and Nod, made for ages 4–8 in the classroom, homeschool, or at bedtime. Here’s what’s inside:

  • The full poem, with a listen-along QR code
  • Meet the poet and before-reading questions
  • Discussion questions and a narration prompt
  • Eight vocabulary words with drawing boxes
  • Word search and a draw-your-own night voyage page
  • Answer key
Get It Free With Your Library Card

Sign up, confirm your email, and your welcome email will include the download link. Want more? The 16-page Complete Guide on TPT adds sequencing cards, a rhyme hunt, choral reading, and a recitation certificate. See all teacher guides

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