Frere Jacques
Jim Brickman Lyrics


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Frère Jacques
Frère Jacques
Dormez-vous?
Dormez-vous?

Sonnez les matines,
Sonnez les matines.
Ding, dang, dong.
Ding, dang, dong.





Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jim Brickman's song Frere Jacques are an interpretation of the famous French nursery rhyme that bears the same name. The song begins with the repetition of the titular line, "Frere Jacques," which roughly translates to "Brother John." The line is then followed by, "Dormez-vous?" which means "Are you sleeping?" This line continues to be repeated, as if the singer is attempting to rouse the titular Frere Jacques from slumber.


The next line, "Sonnez les matines," literally means "ring the matins." This line, along with the following line "Ding, dang, dong," are the most recognizable parts of the song, and are often used in pop culture as shorthand for indicating that something is meant to sound like a church bell. Together with the previous lines, the overall sense is that the singer is trying to wake up Frere Jacques in order to attend the early morning mass.


Line by Line Meaning

Frère Jacques
Brother Jacques, a name given to a monk or friar.


Frère Jacques
Brother Jacques, a name given to a monk or friar.


Dormez-vous?
Are you sleeping? It's a question directed toward the monk or friar.


Dormez-vous?
Are you sleeping? It's a question directed toward the monk or friar.


Sonnez les matines
Ring the bells for morning prayers or services.


Sonnez les matines
Ring the bells for morning prayers or services.


Ding, dang, dong.
The sound of the bells ringing.


Ding, dang, dong.
The sound of the bells ringing.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

Steph

Magique tout simplement ⭐

MBR

this is enchanting..it brings to life..wonderful childhood memories...singing this..  loved it as a child...now I love this..

ㅋㅋㅋ

Young, dumb, stupid, young, dumb, stupid
But who cares? (Young, dumb, stupid) but who cares? (Young, dumb, stupid)
우린 겁이 없어 (but who cares?), do whatever we want (but who cares?)
딩당동 (우린 겁이 없어), 딩당동 (do whatever we want)