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Frère Jacques
All Instruments: Douglas Milne
From the TwinkleTrax album "Baby Lullabies - 18 Soothing Instrumental Lullabies For Babies"
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Lyrics of "Frère Jacques"
Origins of "Frère Jacques"
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don.
Origins of "Frère Jacques"
This famous French lullaby is often sung as a round. The literal translation in English is:
Brother James, Brother James
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring the morning bells! Ring the morning bells!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
The song traditionally sung in English as
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Nobody is entirely sure of the identity of Frère Jacques, (if he existed at all) although research suggests he was a monk. Frère (brother) in this instance is probably better translated as a Friar, rather than as a sibling.
A 1910 illustration of "Frère Jaques" by Henry Gerbault (1863-1930), Illustrator of Ricqlès & Co.
It has been suggested that the song was created to taunt Dominican monks - known in France as Jacobins - who had to get up for morning prayers (signalled by the ringing of the Matins, as mentioned in the lyrics). Another similar twist is that it was used to taunt non-Catholics such as Jews, Protestants or even Martin Luther.
Another suggestion is that it refers to Jacques Beaulieu, a 17th century French lithotomist (look it up if you have a strong stomach!), who dubbed himself Frère Jacques and wore a monk's habit, although he was never ordained, and did not belong to any monastery. However, there is no evidence to suggest any connection between Beaulieu and the nursery rhyme.
The earliest known version was published in "Recueil de Timbres de Vaudevilles Notés de La Coquette Sans le Savoir et autres Pièces à Vaudeville"(circa 1780). This manuscript contains the melody, although it is titled "Frère Blaise". Interestingly, the melody bears a striking resemblance to "Toccate d'intavolatura, No.14, Capriccio Fra Jacopino sopra L'Aria Di Ruggiero" composed by Girolamo Frescobaldi, and published around 1615. Interesting because Fra Jacopino translates as Frère Jacques.
The earliest known version where the words are coupled with the melody is in "Recreations de l'enfance: Recueil de Rondes avec Jeux et de Petites Chansons pour Faire Jouer, Danser et Chanter les Enfants avec un Accompagnement de Piano Très-Facile" by Charles Lebouc (Rouart, Lerolle & C. Paris, 1860).
Origins text ©2012 TwinkleTrax Children's Songs.