Do you remember the days when your parents used to wake you up with the lyrics of Are You Sleeping, Brother John? Good times! Coupled with a melody and energetic words, we used to wake right up to start our day afresh. But have you ever stopped to wonder about this nursery rhyme's origin? Your favorite poem dates back to the 18th century - yes, that far back!
If you're intrigued to know about its origin and want to familiarise yourself with childhood memories again, read on!
Written lyrics
Wake yourself right up with the lyrics of Are You Sleeping, Brother John?
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Printable lyrics
Reminisce the old days and acquaint your children with this masterpiece by stringing a printed version of Are You Sleeping, Brother John? in their rooms. Find the printable version here.
Photo lyrics
Video links
Watch the video with its catchy tune and gripping lyrics below:
Origins and history
The poem Are You Sleeping, Brother John? is a French song dating back to the 18th century. It narrates the story of a friar who is in a deep slumber and has overslept. He is incessantly woken to ring the morning bells for matins. Matins is a canonical hour, either midnight or early morning when a monk gets up to offer prayer.
In French, Frère Jacques is the one who oversleeps instead of John. It comes from the Latin word frater, which means Brother.
The poem's origin is said to be 17th-century lithotomist Frère Jacques Beaulieu. Irvine Loudon made a claim citing the similarity of name (he was also known as Frère Jacques Baulot). However, further exploration from J. P. Ganem and C. C. Carson concluded that no such connection exists.
On the other hand, Francesca Draughon and Raymond Knapp claim that the song was initially written to mock Jews, Protestants, or Martin Luther. Similarly, Martine David and A. Marie Delrieu argue that it might have been a poem to taunt Dominican friars who were known for their lazy and comfortable ways of living.
The melody of Are You Sleeping, Brother John? is stated to have emerged from a French manuscript circa 1780. Titled "Recueil de Timbres de Vaudevilles," it could've been written between 1775 and 1785. However, the "Frère Jacques" melody is initially named "Frère Blaise."
FAQ
Are You Sleeping, Brother John? is a nursery rhyme that talks about waking up early in the morning.
The origins of Frère Jacques remain unknown. Several historians have made claims regarding authorship, but none could definitely prove it.
Jean-Philippe Rameau is credited with the composition of Are You Sleeping, Brother John?
The original French song goes as follows:
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
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