Frère Jacques
Joi Cardwell Lyrics
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Frere Jacques
Dormez-vous
Dormez-vous
Summer Days they come to me
As vivid as the sun
I see your face as we embrace
Hold me closer Say my name
Whisper things to me
That others call insane
(where are you)
Frere Jacques
Frere Jacques
Dormez-vous
Dormez-vous
Frere Jacques
Frere Jacques
Ding dong ding
Slowly I think
Trying to catch my mind
Remembering all you see
Of what my life is like
Wanting so much more
Of what you bring to me
Hoping it?s all a dream
You?re not here tonight
(where are you)
Frere jacques.
The song "Frere Jacques" by Joi Cardwell is an interpretation of the classic French nursery rhyme "Frère Jacques". It begins with the familiar refrain of "Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, dormez-vous, dormez-vous," which translates to "Brother John, Brother John, are you sleeping, are you sleeping?" The lyrics then veer into a contemplation of summer days and a lost love. The singer reminisces about holding their lover close and whispering things to them that others might call insane. The second verse reflects on the past and the memories shared with the person that they miss. The singer ponders if it's all just a dream and if their lover is really no longer with them.
The song takes the original nursery rhyme and reinterprets it into a melancholic ballad about lost love and the longing for someone who is not around. The use of the Frere Jacques lyrics in this way symbolizes the repetitive nature of life and how we often recall things from our childhood or past in moments of emotional reflection. The lyrics also highlight the universal feeling of longing for someone who is no longer with us, whether it be through death, distance or the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Frere Jacques
The singer voices the name of the titular character.
Frere Jacques
The singer repeats the name of the titular character.
Dormez-vous
The singer asks if the character is sleeping.
Dormez-vous
The artist repeats the question of whether the character is sleeping.
The rest of the song lyrics are not associated with the original Frere Jacques nursery rhyme and will not be explained.
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rita Parr
Should've released the version produced by Willy Washington and it would've one of the greatest dance tracks of all time, sigh - what were you thinking, Joi?!!! 😢