The English version, alone among all other translations, changes the meaning to indicate that the bells ARE ringing and that Brother John has merely overslept for prayer service.

Brother John, how are you, why are you sleeping Brother John, why are you, why are you sleeping May your awakening be near. In the French version, morning bells are NOT ringing, which is why 'Brother John' is being implored to rise from sleep to do his job. Brother John, where are you, why are you sleeping Brother John, why are you, where are you sleeping Take the light into your room. Curiously, the English translation has been adapted over the years to distort the meaning of the original French version. Thought to be written long before it was first published in 1780, the nursery rhyme concerns (and pokes a little fun at) a monk who has overslept and is thus late for his duty to ring the monastery bells that wake the other monks for morning prayers. Slaapt gij nog, slaapt gij nog, (or 'slaap jij nog, slaap jij nog')Īlle klokken luiden, Alle klokken luiden, Suenan las campanas! Suenan las campanas!ĭing, dang, dong.

Horst du nicht die Glocken, horst du nicht die Glocken?ĭing, dang, dong. Its origins are unclear, as it could have been published as early as 1780 or as late as 1869. Currently there are no lyrics for this song. It is an old nursery melody that is usually sung in a round. The song Are You Sleeping (Brother John) of Nursery Rhymes and Kids Songs is here. It is also called Brother John or Brother Peter. Are you sleeping Are you sleeping Brother John, Brother John, Morning bells are ringing Morning bells are ringing Ding, dang, dong. Are You Sleeping is the English translation of the French nursery song Frere Jacues. Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringingĭing, dong, ding. Ding, dong, ding. Sonnez les matines is imperative and means that Brother John should ring the matins (bells). 'Frère Jacques' Translations French (Original)ĭing, ding, dong.

Brother john are you sleeping lyrics