Carl Emil Paul Lincke was a German composer and conductor. His composition "Glühwürmchen" (The Glow-Worm) originated in the 1902 operetta Lysistrata.
It was originally translated into English by Lilla Cayley Robinson in the early 20th century was used in the 1907 Broadway musical "The Girl Behind The Counter".

American lyricist Johnny Mercer later expanded and greatly revised her lyrics. His version was a hit for the Mills Brothers (John, Herbert, Harry and Donald Mills) in 1952 and peaked at the top of the chart.