Frère Jacques is a French song for children the original version of the well-known nursery rhyme Brother John.
Frère Jacques Meaning
Contrary to the common beliefs “les matines” meaning Matins (or Mattins) which is a canonical hour of Christian liturgy. Because matin means morning in French the verse: Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines! was incorrectly translated as Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!.
The correct translation is “Ring the Matins! Ring the Matins!” and it is an imperative for a monk brother Jacques, (in English a correspondent for James or Jacob,) who overslept, to announce the Matins.
Frère Jacques Lyrics
Frère Jacques French
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Frère Jacques English translation
Brother Jacques, Brother Jacques,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring [the bells for] matins! Ring [the bells for] matins!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Frère Jacques 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.