Frère Jacques (French Lyrics English Translation / Meaning)

Frère Jacques (pronounced fʀɛʀ ʒɑk or frer jak) is a French nursery rhyme and song. The song is about a French monk who has overslept and is called upon to sound the prayer bells. This is a typical kids song and is often sung in rounds. The English name for the song is Brother John.

Frère Jacques lyrics and translation

Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don.

Brother John, Brother John,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

Video source: KiddieOK

What does Frère Jacques mean?

The translation of Frère Jacques is literally Brother Jacques or Brother Jack.

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The song is about a monk. The French word for brother, “frère”, is related to the English word “friar. Thus, the translation of Frere Jacques could also be Friar Jacques.

What does dormez-vous mean?

The question, “Dormez-vous?” means “Are you sleeping”? This question is being asked in the formal “vous” form.

If it were being asked in the informal “tu” form, it would be “Dors-tu?” or “Est-ce que tu dors?”

What does “sonnez les matines” mean?

Historically, les matines or “matins” in English referred to Christian liturgies that were sung in the hours of the morning before sunrise.

In the song lyrics, Frere Jacques, or Brother John, is woken up and called up to sound the bells for the morning prayers.

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

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