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Frère Jacques song and lyrics

Frère Jacques song and lyrics

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

Frère Jacques: French song for kids - Vocabulary & Grammar of the French Lyrics Explained!

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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.

Lyrics explanation

Frère Jacques, frère Jacques

The first line and title of the song translates to “Brother Jacques” or “Brother Jack”. The song is commonly known in English as “Brother John”. The French word for brother, frère, is related to the English word “friar”. Thus, the translation of the song title could also be “Friar Jacques”.

Dormez vous? Dormez vous?

The question, “Dormez-vous?” means “Are you sleeping”? This is the verb dormir (to sleep) conjugated in the vous (you formal and plural) form in the inversion form for asking questions.

This line could have also been written with est-ce que (is and are for yes-no questions) – Est-ce que vous dormez? (Are you sleeping?).

Sonnez les matines

This line translates to “morning bells are ringing”. The verb sonner means “to ring” or “to sound”. Historically, les matines or “matins” in English referred to Christian prayers that were sung in the hours of the morning before sunrise.

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David Issokson
David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

David Issokson

David Issokson is the founder and French teacher of Frenchlearner.com. With over 30 years of experience as a French learner and speaker, he is passionate about making the language accessible and enjoyable for everyone. David is dedicated to providing clear, practical, and effective resources to help you master French. Learn more about FrenchLearner on our about us page. Visit davidissokson.com, David's personal website.

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