Frère Jacques is a French nursery rhyme translated into many languages. The one in English is popular as ‘Brother John.’ The translation is almost accurate.
The English version also uses the same melody, but some meanings are lost in translation. Like in the original version, the brother is urged to wake to ring the bells, whereas, in the English one, the brother is urged to wake because the bells are ringing.
Let’s read and sing the rhyme. Also, let’s find out about its inner meaning.
Written Lyrics
French verse
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Din, din, don. Din, din, don.
English translation
Brother Jacques, Brother Jacques,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring/Sound [the bells for] matins! Ring [the bells for] matins!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Traditional English lyrics
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Photo Lyrics
Video Links
You will find both the French and English versions on YouTube. We are attaching the links.
French version-
English version-
Activity:
Origin and History
The French National Library holds the manuscript by the composer Jean-Philippe Rameau that has the melody for Frère Jacques. So, people believe that he might be the originator. However, the first version was published in the latter half of the 18th century. It was called ‘Frère Blaise’ (1780) with the same melody but no lyrics. The song was published in its current form, not before 1860. But, its exact origin is unclear.
“Frère Jacques” is like a warning about the seven deadly sins, written as seven verses. This song is about the first brother Jacques who sleeps off and forgets to ring the morning bells. It is denoted as indulgence in a vice.
It is often taught in elementary French lessons and in music lessons as a recorded tune.
In a review of a book about Kozma Prutkov, professor of Russian at Vassar College, Richard Gregg claimed that the rhyme was derived from a Russian seminary song about a "Father Theofil".
In 1926, the officers of the Whampoa Military Academy used the tune in a patriotic anthem called "Revolution of the Citizens".
FAQs
The versions are almost the same in English, with a loss of meaning in some places. Like in the original version, the brother is urged to wake to ring the bells(Sonnez les matines), whereas, in the English one, the brother is urged to wake because the bells are ringing (Morning bells are ringing). The correct translation is “Ring the Matins’.
Composer Jean-Philippe Rameau might have written the rhyme, but it was not published in his current form until 1860. Initially, it was titled Frère Blaise (1780) with the same melody but no lyrics. There ate several opinions about its exact origin.
The rhyme depicts a warning about the seven deadly sins. They are written as seven verses about monks missing the rapture because of their indulgence in vices. This rhyme is about the first brother Jacques, who fell asleep and forgot to ring the bells.
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