User:Maunus/Frerejacques

The song "Frère Jacques" is well known in English-speaking countries in both its French and English forms. Many other translations and versions exist; some are an exact structural match to the French version, while others vary in the details to better fit a rhyme scheme, syllable structure, or general euphony.

In French

The song is popularly believed to be French in origin, and even in the English-speaking world, it is frequently sung in French (though typically with a somewhat anglicised pronunciation).

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don.

Rough translation:
Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring the morning bells! Ring the morning bells!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

• Another French version, which is slightly less common:

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnent les matines. Sonnent les matines.
Ding-dang-dong. Ding-dang-dong.

Rough translation:
Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
The morning bells sound! The morning bells sound!
Ding Dang Dong. Ding Dang Dong.

• Another less common French version:

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Toutes les cloches sonnent, Toutes les cloches sonnent,
Ding deng dong. Ding deng dong.

Rough translation:
Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
All the bells are ringing, All the bells are ringing,
Ding deng dong. Ding deng dong.

In English

The most common English language version

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing, Morning bells are ringing.
Ding, dang, dong, Ding, dang, dong.

Here the first two phrases are reversed, the name is changed to "John" (the literal translation of "Jacques" would be either "Jack", "Jacob" or "James"), and the third phrase is rendered as "Morning bells are ringing" instead of the imperative "Ring the morning bells" (this last change also is seen in the Dutch translation).

There are many alternative lyrics to Frère Jacques in English, as well as other languages.

Versions in other languages

Some translations and versions include:

In Afrikaans

Vader Jakob, Vader Jakob,
Slaap jy nog? Slaap jy nog?
Hoor hoe lui die kerkklok, Hoor hoe lui die kerkklok,
Ding dong dell, Ding dong dell.

In Albanian

Arbër vlla-e, Arbër vlla-e
A po flen? A po flen?
Kumbona ka ra-e, Kumbona ka ra-e
Ding dang dong, Ding dang dong.

Vëlla i dashur, vëlla i dashur
A po flenë, a po flenë?
Ora po bie, ora po bie,
Ding, dang, dun! Ding, dang, dun!

In Amharic

Wendeme Yacob, wendeme Yacob
Tegnah wey, tegnah wey
Dewel tedewele, dewel tedewele
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong

Wendeme Yacob, wendeme Yacob
Tegnah wey, tegnah wey
Dewel tedewele, dewel tedewele
Tenesa, tenesa

In Arabic

اخونا يعقوب اخونا يعقوب
قُم بكير قُم بكير
دُق جرس المدرسة دُق جرس المدرسة
دينج دانج دونج akhewna y'eqewb, akhewna y'eqewb
qum bekyer ,qum bekyer
duq jers alemdersh, duq jers alemdersh
deynej danej dewnej

In Moroccan Arabic

Khouya Hassan, khouya Hassan,
Naas mezian, naas mezian ?
Fiksbah bakri, fiksbah bakri
Khalik men lemsah, khalik men lemsah

Alternate lyrics:

Khoya Hassan, Khoya Hassan
Noud N'a3sso Noud N'a3sso
tal ghedda w nfi9ou tal ghedda w nfi9ou
ding dang dong

Alternate lyrics:

Khoya Hassan, Khoya Hassan
Noud N'a3sso Noud N'a3sso
[hta yedreb na9ousna hta yedreb na9ousna] Error: {{Lang}}: missing language tag (help)
3ad nfikou 3ad nfikou

In Armenian

Եղբայր Հակոբ, եղբայր Հակոբ,
Քնա՞ծ ես, քնա՞ծ ես։
Չե՞ս լսում դու զանգը, չե՞ս լսում դու զանգը։
Դինգ, դանգ, դոնգ։

Transliteration:
Eghbayr Hakob, Eghbayr Hakob,
Qehnats es? Qehnats es?
Ches lsum du zangeh, Ches lsum du zangeh
Ding dang dong. Ding dang dong

The Armenian version is a translation from the German version of the song.

In Basque

Anai xanti, Anai xanti...
lo dago, lo dago,
ezkilak jotzen du, ezkilak jotzen du
din dan don, din dan don

In Berber

gma hassan gma hassan
yalah atgant yalah atgant
arkih youchkad sbah

In Bulgarian

Сутрин рано, сутрин рано,
в неделя, в неделя,
камбаните бият, камбаните бият,
бим-бум-бам, бим-бум-бам.

Literal translation:

Early in the morning, early in the morning,
On Sunday, on Sunday,
The bells are ringing, the bells are ringing,
Ding, dang, dong, Ding, dang, dong.

A newer version:

Спиш ли още, спиш ли още,
братко Спас, братко Спас?
Чуват се камбани, Чуват се камбани,
дин-дан-дон, дин-дан-дон.

Literal translation:

Do you still sleep,do you still sleep,
Brother Spas, brother Spas?
Sound the bells, sound the bells,
Ding-dang-dong,ding-dang-dong.

In Cantonese

打開蚊帳 (Open the mosquito net)
打開蚊帳，打開蚊帳，
有隻蚊，有隻蚊，
快啲攞把扇嚟，快啲攞把扇嚟，
撥走佢，撥走佢。
Da hoi man jeung, da hoi man jeung,
Yau jek man, yau jek man,
Faai di luo ba sin lai, faai di luo ba sin lai,
But jau keui, but jau keui.

In Catalan

Germà Jaume, Germà Jaume.
Estàs dormint? Estàs dormint?
Sonen les campanes, sonen les campanes.
Ding, dang, dong! Ding, dang, dong!

On ets polze?, On ets polze?
Sóc aquí. Sóc aquí.
Gust en saludar-te. Gust en saludar-te.
Ja me'n vaig. Jo també.

(translation:) Brother James, Brother James.

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?

Ring the bells, ring the bells.

Ding, dang, dong! Ding, dang, dong!

Where are you, thumb?, Where are you, thumb?

Here I am. Here I am.

Glad to meet you. Glad to meet you.

As I go. Me too.

In Cherokee

gahliho'i, gahliho'i (Are you sleeping?)
josewi, josewi (Joseph)
ganohalidohi, ganohalidohi (We have to start hunting)
adloyvsga, adloyvsga (so, get up)

ᎦᎵᎰᎢ, ᎦᎵᎰᎢ
ᏦᏎᏫ, ᏦᏎᏫ
ᎦᏃᎭᎵᏙᎯ, ᎦᏃᎭᎵᏙᎯ
ᎠᏠᏴᏍᎦ, ᎠᏠᏴᏍᎦ

In Chinese (Standard Mandarin

两只老虎，两只老虎，
跑得快，跑得快，
一只没有耳朵，一只没有尾巴，
真奇怪，真奇怪!

Mandarin transliteration: Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ, liǎng zhī lǎohǔ, Pǎo de kuài, pǎo de kuài, Yì zhī méiyǒu ěrduō, yī zhī méiyǒu wěibā (wěibā is often pronounced as yǐbā - a different dialect of Chinese when sung and in this song as well), Zhēn qíguài, zhēn qíguài!

Translation in English: Two tigers, two tigers, Are running fast, are running fast, One doesn't have ears, one doesn't have a tail, Really strange, really strange!

Singable translation in English: Two good tigers. Two good tigers. Running fast. Running fast. One of them has no ears. One of them has no tail. Really strange, really strange!

Another version: 三只老虎，三只老虎，
跑得快，跑得快，
一只没有眼睛，一只没有耳朵，
真奇怪，真奇怪！

Mandarin transliteration: Sān zhī lǎohǔ, sān zhī lǎohǔ, Pǎo de kuài, pǎo de kuài, Yì zhī méiyǒu yǎnjīng, yī zhī méiyǒu ěrduo, Zhēn qíguài, zhēn qíguài!

Translation: Three tigers, three tigers, Are running fast, are running fast, One doesn't have eyes, one doesn't have ears, Really strange, really strange!

Another version: 你好，你好，你好，你好
我很好，我很好
我们一起唱歌，我们一起唱歌
真快乐，真快乐

Mandarin transliteration: Nǐhǎo, nǐhǎo, nǐhǎo, nǐhǎo, Wǒ hěn hǎo, wǒ hěn hǎo, Wǒmen yīqǐ chānggē, wǒmen yīqǐ chānggē, Zhēn kuàilè, zhēn kuàilè

Translation: Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello I am good, I am good, We all sing together, we all sing together, Really happy, really happy

There is also a famous Chinese revolutionary song set to the tune called The "Revolution of the Citizens" Song

In Cree

There is a Cree version called "Kinnipan Tsi."

In Croatian

Bratec Martin, Bratec Martin
Kaj još spiš? Kaj još spiš?
Več ti vura tuče, več ti vura tuče
Bim, bam, bom. Bim, bam, bom.

Translation:

Brother Martin, Brother Martin
Are you still sleeping? Are you still sleeping?
Your clock's already beating, Your clock's already beating.
Bim, bam, bom. Bim, bam bom.

This version is in the Kajkavian dialect.

In Czech

• A version in Czech is:

Bratře Kubo, Bratře Kubo,
Ještě spíš? Ještě spíš?
Venku slunce září, Ty jsi na polštáři,
Vstávej již, Vstávej již.

Translation:

Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob,
Are you still sleeping? Are you still sleeping?
The sun shines outside, and you are on your pillow.
Get up finally, Get up finally.

• Another Czech version is:

Bratře Kubo, Bratře Kubo,
Ještě spíš? Ještě spíš?
Slunce dávno září,
ty jsi na polštáři,
vstávej již, vstávej již.

Translation: ... / The sun shines for a long time, and you are on your pillow. / ...

Second version:
Bratře Kubo, bratře Kubo.
Ještě spíš? Ještě spíš?
Neslyšíš ty zvony? Neslyšíš ty zvony?
Ding dang dong. Ding dang dong.

Translation:
Brother Jacob, brother Jacob.
Are you still sleeping? Are you still sleeping?
Don't you hear the bells? Don't you hear the bells?
Ding dang dong. Ding dang don.

In Danish

Mester Jakob, Mester Jakob,
Sover du? Sover du?
Hører du ej klokken? Hører du ej klokken?
Bim, bam, bum, Bim, bam, bum.

Translation:

Master John, Master John
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Don’t you hear the bells? Don’t you hear the bells?
Bim, bam, bum, Bim, bam, bum.

In Dutch

• A version in Dutch from the Netherlands:

Vader Jakob, Vader Jakob,
Slaapt gij nog? Slaapt gij nog?
Alle klokken luiden, Alle klokken luiden,
Bim bam bom, Bim bam bom.

• In Flanders, children sing:

Broeder Jacob, Broeder Jacob,
Slaapt gij nog? Slaapt gij nog?
Hoor de klokken luiden, hoor de klokken luiden,
Bim Bam Bom, Bim Bam Bom.

• A slightly different Dutch version is:

Vader Jacob, vader Jacob,
Slaap jij nog? Slaap jij nog?
Alle klokken luiden, alle klokken luiden,
Bim, bam, bom, bim, bam, bom

The version with "gij" appears to be more widespread than the version with "jij", as "gij" is still used in Flanders.

• Another Dutch version:

Broertje Jacob, broertje Jacob,
Slaap je nog, slaap je nog,
De bel is gegaan, de bel is gegaan,
Ding dang dong, ding, dang, dong.

In Esperanto

• A version in Esperanto is:

Frat’ Jakobo, Frat’ Jakobo,
Ĉu en dorm’? Ĉu en dorm’?
Iru sonorigu, Iru sonorigu,
Tin, tin, tin. Tin, tin, tin.

Translation:

Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Go and ring. Go and ring.
Bim, bam, bom. Bim, bam, bom.

This version was popular before 1990 probably only in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, etc.

• Another variation of the Esperanto version is:

Ĉu vi dormas, Ĉu vi dormas,
Frato Jak'? Frato Jak'?
[???]
Tin, tin, tin. Tin, tin, tin.

Translation:

Are you sleeping, Are you sleeping,
Brother Jacob? Brother Jacob?
[???]

This version comes from Norway (translation by Jon Rømmesmo).

In Estonian

Sepapoisid, sepapoisid,
teevad tööd, teevad tööd,
taovad tulist rauda, taovad tulist rauda,
päeval, ööl; päeval, ööl.

Translation:

Blacksmith boys, blacksmith boys
working hard, working hard
Hanging lots of iron, hanging lots of iron
Day and night, day and night
Ding, Dang, Dong

In Fakauvea

Felela Sakopo, Felela Sakopo,
Moe, moe koe, moe, moe koe.
Tuu o ta te pele, tuu o ta te pele.
Ding, ding, dong, ding, ding, dong.

In Faroese

Dovni Jákup, dovni Jákup
Svevur tú, svevur tú?
Klokkan hon er átta, klokkan hon er átta
Ding-dang-dong, ding-dang-dong.

Translation: Lazy Jacob, / are you sleeping / It is 8 o'clock / ding-dang-dong.

In Finnish

• A version in Finnish is:

Jaakko kulta, Jaakko kulta,
Herää jo, Herää jo.
Kellojasi soita, Kellojasi soita.
Pium paum poum, Pium paum poum

Translation:

Jaakko Dear, Jaakko Dear, Wake up now, Wake up now, Ring your bells, Ring your bells.
Bing, bang, bong, Bing, bang, bong.

In the Finnish version, the question "are you sleeping?" is replaced with a command to wake up ("Herää jo").

In Gaeilge

Aindí Leisciúil, Aindí Leisciúil,
I do luí, I do luí,
Tá sé in am bricfeasta, Tá sé in am bricfeasta,
Bí i do shuí, Bí i do shuí

In Old Irish, but about Halloween

adaig shamna, adaig shamna,
an istig, an istig!
oslaictear na síde, oslaictear na síde,
an istig, an istig!

In German

• The most common version in German is:

Bruder Jakob, Bruder Jakob,
Schläfst du noch? Schläfst du noch?
Hörst du nicht die Glocken, Hörst du nicht die Glocken?
Ding, dang, dong, Ding, dang, dong.

Translation: Brother James, / are you still sleeping? / Don't you hear the bells? / Ding, dang, dong!

Here and in all the Germanic languages other than English and Dutch, the third line is changed from a command to ring the matins bells to a query, "Don't you hear the bells?"

• Instead of "Bruder Jakob" it is also sung "Meister Jakob" (=Master James).

The title "Meister" can suggest an artisan / a craftsman. One theory is that these lyrics are referring to an artisan involved in church construction, travelling on the Way of St. James.
(see: "Les Enfants du Maître Jacques" / »Kinder von Meister Jakob« (=Master James' Children)

• Another German version:

Bruder Jakob, Bruder Jakob, / Schläfst Du noch? Schläfst Du noch? / Morgenglocken läuten, Morgenglocken läuten. / Ding-dang-dong, ding-dang-dong.

Translation: Morgenglocken läuten = Morning bells are ringing.

• In the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century in Austria, this tune was commonly associated with lyrics referring to a "Bruder Martin" (=Brother Martin) and sung in a minor key (see: Gustav Mahler and his 1st Symphony).

In Greek (modern)

Αδελφέ Ιάκωβε, αδελφέ Ιάκωβε
κοιμάσαι, κοιμάσαι
σημάνετέ τον όρθρο, σημάνετέ τον όρθρο,
Ντιν, ντιν, ντονγκ, ντιν, ντιν, ντονγκ,

Pronounced: Adelfé Iáko̱ve, adelfé Iáko̱ve koimásai, koimásai si̱máneté ton órthro, si̱máneté ton órthro, Ntin, ntin, nton'nk, ntin, ntin, nton'nk

In Greenlandic

A version in Greenlandic is:

Piitaq uumaa, Piitaq uumaa
makigit, makigit,
sianerpaluppoq, sianerpaluppoq
arfineq, arfineq.

In Haitian Creole

Tonton Bouki, Tonton Bouki,
Ou ap dòmi? Ou ap dòmi?
Lévé pou bat tanbou-a, Lévé pou bat tanbou-a,
Ding ding dong ! Ding ding dong !

In Hebrew

אחינו הנהג, אחינו הנהג
סע מהר, סע מהר
אם תיסע לאט, נכין ממך סלט
סע מהר, סע מהר

אחינו הנהג, אחינו הנהג
סע לאט, סע לאט
אם תיסע מהר, יתפוס אותך שוטר
סע לאט, סע לאט

Rough translation: Our brother the driver, drive fast, if you shall drive slowly, we will make a salad out of you, drive fast; Our brother the driver, drive slowly, if you shall drive fast, a policeman will catch you, drive slowly.

And alternative less common version:

אחינו יעקב, אחינו יעקב
אל תישן, אל תישן
הפעמון מצלצל,
דינג דנג דונג, דינג דנג דונג.

Rough translation: Our Brother Jacob, do not sleep, the bell rings, ding dang dong.

Another alternative less common version:

אחינו יעקב אחינו יעקב
קום מוקדם קום מוקדם
את הפעמון צלצל
דינג דאנג דונד

In Hindi

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Hindi is: so rahe ho kya, so rahe ho kya
bhai john? bhai john?
jo soe pachtaaega, jo soe pachtaaega,
ab na karo vishraam, ab na karo vishraam.

In Hungarian

János bácsi, János bácsi,
Keljen fel, Keljen fel.
Szólnak a harangok, Szólnak a harangok.
Bim, bam, bom, Bim, bam, bom.

Translation: Uncle John, Uncle John
Get up, Get up,
The bells are ringing, The bells are ringing,
Bim, bam, bom, Bim, bam, bom.

The Hungarian word "bácsi" means "uncle", but it's a form generally used by Hungarians to turn to an older man (especially children to an adult man). The word "mister" is commonly used for this purpose in English.
The Hungarian verb "keljen fel" is the imperative formal form (third person sg.) of the verb "felkel(ni)".

In a slightly different version, "Szólnak a harangok!" is replaced with "Húzza a harangot!", which means "Sound the bell!" or literally "Pull the bell!" in imperative formal form.

In Icelandic

Meistari Jakob, meistari Jakob!
Sefur þú? Sefur þú?
Hvað slær klukkan? Hvað slær klukkan?
Hún slær þrjú. Hún slær þrjú.

Translation:

Master John, Master John!
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
What time does the bell strike? What time does the bell strike?
It strikes three o'clock. It strikes three o'clock.

In Indonesian

Abang Yakob, Abang Yakob
Bangunlah, Bangunlah
Lonceng t'lah berbunyi, Lonceng t'lah berbunyi
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong

Translation:
Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob / Wake up, Wake up / The bells already ringing, The bells already ringing / Ding dang dong, Ding dang dong

Bapak Jakob, Bapak Jakob,
Masih tidur? Masih tidur?
Dengar lonceng bunyi, Dengar lonceng bunyi
Bim, bam, bum, bim, bam, bum

Translation: Mr. Jacob, Still Sleeping?, Hear the bells ringing.

or, less literally:

Bruder Jakob,
Bangun-lah
Hari suda siang

Translation: Brother Jacob, Wake up, It's already mid-day.

In Italian

• A version in Italian is:

Frà Martino, Campanaro,
Dormi tu? Dormi tu?
Suona le campane, Suona le campane,
Din, don, dan, Din, don, dan.

The name is completely changed ("Giacomo" would be the expected translation) and "Fra Martino"'s position as bell-ringer ("campanaro") is made explicit.

• Another Italian version is:

Frà Martino, campanaro, cosa fai? Non dormir! Suona il mattutino, suona il mattutino, din, don, dan, din, don, dan! Frà Martino, campanaro, è di già mezzodì! Suona allegramente, suona allegramente, din, don, dan, din, don, dan! Frà Martino, quand'è sera, dove sei? dove sei? Suona piano piano, è l'Ave Maria, din, don, dan, din, don, dan!

Frà Martino, stai sognando, di suonar, di suonar! Tutte le campane, tutte le campane, din, don, dan, din, don, dan! Frà Martino, campanaro, dormi tu? dormi tu? Suona le campane, suona le campane, din, don, dan, din, don, dan!

Translation: Brother Martin, bell-ringer, what are you doing? Don't sleep! Ring for the morning prayer/matins.
Brother Martin, bell-ringer, it's already the midday! Ring merrily!
Brother Martin, bell-ringer, where are you in the evening? Ring silently/softly, it's evening prayer (time)/vespers.
Brother Martin, you are dreaming now, that you are ringing all the bells!
Brother Martin, bell-ringer, are you sleeping? Ring the bells!

• Another Italian version:

Fra Giovanni, Fra Giovanni, Dormi tu? Dormi tu? Suona la campana, suona la campana, Din-dan-don, din-dan-don!

In Japanese

Nemuino? Nemuino?
Okinasai, okinasai.
Asano kane ga, natte iruyo.
Kin kon kan, kin kon kan.

眠いの？眠いの？
起きなさい、起きなさい。
朝の鐘が、鳴っているよ。
キンコンカン、キンコンカン。

Translation: "Are you sleepy? Are you sleepy? Wake up! Wake up! Morning bells are ringing, kin kon kan, kin kon kan.

In Japanese kindergarten and elementary schools, however, a common game is to think of things which can be mimed/demonstrated using hands in the shape of rock, paper, and scissors. One example:

Guu chokipaa de guu chokipaa de
Nani tsukurou　Nani tsukurou
Migite ga guu de
Hidarite ga guu de
Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse

グーチョキパーで　グーチョキパーで
何作ろう　何作ろう
右手がグーで
左手がグーで
ミッキーマウス、ミッキーマウス

Translation: "What shall we make with rock, scissors, and paper? With the right hand, 'rock'; with the left hand, 'rock': Mickey Mouse! Mickey Mouse!" This would be accompanied with actions of putting the hands in the shape of 'rock' and bringing them up to the head to make Mickey Mouse ears. Other examples are "helicopter" (one hand "rock", the other hand "paper" flat on top of the rock to make blades) and "ramen" (one hand "paper" to make a bowl, the other "scissors" to make chopsticks).

In Korean

• A version in Korean

우리서로 학교길에
만나면 만나면
웃는얼굴 하고 인사나눕시다
얘들아 안녕.

Translation: When we meet on the way to school / let's greet with smile / hello, bye.

In Latin

• A version in Latin:

Quare dormis, O Iacobe,
Etiam nunc? Etiam nunc?
Resonant campanae, Resonant campanae,
Din din dan, Din din dan.

Translation: Why are you sleeping, Jacob, / still now? / (The) bells are ringing. / Din din dan.

• Another Latin version is:

O Iacobe, frater piger,
dormisne? dormisne?
Tinni Matutinum! Tinni Matutinum!
Tin tin tan, tin, tin, tan.

• An alternate Latin version is:

Domne Jane, domne Jane / dormisne? Exsurge! / Omnes nolae sonant, omnes nolae sonant / Bim bam bum, bim bam bum.

• Yet another version could be:

Dormisne, o, frater, frater,
Iacobe? Iacobe?
Sona matutinam! Sona matutinam!
Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don.

Translation: Are you sleeping, oh, brother, brother, Jacob? Jacob? Sound the morning bells! Sound the morning bells! Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

In Malay

Jawi
اﺑـڠ يعقوب، اﺑـڠ يعقوب،
باڠـونله! باڠـونله!
جم لوﭼيـڠ بربوپي، جم لوﭼيـڠ بربوپي،
ديـڠ، داڠ، دوڠ، ديـڠ، داڠ، دوڠ

Transliteration (Rumi):
Abang Ya'qub, abang Ya'qub,
Willie Bell;ends Jam loceng berbunyi, jam loceng berbunyi,
Ding, dang, dong, ding, dang dong

Literal translation:
Brother Jacob, brother Jacob,
Wake up! Wake up!
Alarm clock is ringing, alarm clock is ringing,
Ding, dang, dong, ding, dang, dong

In Norwegian

Fader Jakob, Fader Jakob,
Sover du? Sover du?
Hører du ei klokken? Hører du ei klokken?
Ding, dang, dong, Ding, dang, dong

Again, the imperative is replaced with "Can't you hear the bells?". Sometimes replaced with "Klokkene de ringer." (The bells are tolling.) Also, Father is used instead of Brother, which appears to refer to a priest instead of a monk. See religion in Norway.

In Palikur

There is a song in the Palikur language sung to the tune of Frère Jacques that is entitled "Nah batek."

Nah batek gikak Uhokri
Nah batek. Nah batek.
Ig avit nuyakni. Ig avit nuyakni.
Nah batek. Nah batek.

In Papiamento

Ruman Jacobo, Ruman Jacobo,
Ainda bo ta drumi? Ainda bo ta drumi?
ta bati,
Ding ding dong! Ding ding dong!

In Persian

This translation is well-known.

Baraadar Jaanam, Baraadar Jaanam,
Khaabidi? Khaabidi?
Zang-e Sobh ra zadand, Zang-e Sobh ra zadand,
Din, dan, don; din, dan don.

In Polish

• A version in Polish is:

Panie Janie, Panie Janie,
Rano wstań, rano wstań.
Wszystkie dzwony biją, wszystkie dzwony biją.
Bim, bam, bom, Bim, bam, bom.

Translation:

Mister John, Mister John, Get up in the morning, Get up in the morning, All the bells are ringing, All the bells are ringing, Bim, bam, bom, Bim, bam, bom.

• Another Polish version:

Panie Janie, Panie Janie,
pora wstać, pora wstać.
Wszystkie dzwony biją, wszystkie dzwony biją.
Bim, bam, bom, Bim, bam, bom.

Translation: Mister John (2x) / time to get up (2x)/ All the bells are ringing (2x) / Bim, bam, bom(2x)

In Portuguese

• The more accurate Portuguese translation:

Estás dormindo, estás dormindo?
Frei João, Frei João
Vai tocar o sino, vai tocar o sino
Dlim, dlim, dlão.

• A version in Portuguese is:

Por que dormes, irmãozinho?
Vem brincar, vem brincar!
Ouve o sininho, longe crepitando
Din din don, din din don

• Another Portuguese version:

Irmão Jorge, irmão Jorge,
dorme tu, dorme tu?
Já soam os sinos, já soam os sinos.
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

• Another version in Portuguese is titled "Irmão Joaquim".

There are also Brazilian-Portuguese versions:

• Brazilian Version #1:

Frei João, Frei João,
A dormir, a dormir?
Vá tocar os sinos, vá tocar os sinos.
Din din don, din din don

• Brazilian Version #2:

Irmão João, Irmão João,
Está a dormir, Está a dormir?
Vá tocar os sinos, vá tocar os sinos.
Matinais, matinais.

• Brazilian Version #3:

Por que choras, irmãozinho?
Vem brincar, vem brincar
Ouve os sininhos, ouve os sininhos
A soar, A soar

• Tradução livre para português de Portugal

Frei joão ... frei joão
ainda dormes ? ainda dormes ?
[Toquem a alvorada ! Toquem a alvorada !] Error: {{Lang}}: missing language tag (help)
tlim tlim tlão ! tlim tlim tlão !

In Provençal

Fraire Jaume, Fraire Jaume,
Dormissètz? Dormissètz?
Sòna la campana, Sòna la campana,
Din, den, dòn ! Din, den, dòn !

In Romanian

• A version in Romanian:

[O versiune în Română] Frate Iacob, Frate Iacob
De ce dormi? De ce dormi?
Clopotele sună. Clopotele sună.
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

Translation:Brother John, Brother John./ Why are you sleeping? Why are you sleeping?/ The bells are ringing. The bells are ringing./ Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

• Another Romanian version

[O alta versiune in Română]

Frate Ioane, Frate Ioane
Oare dormi tu, oare dormi tu?
Sună clopoţelul, Sună clopoţelul
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong

Translation: Brother John. Brother John./ Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?/ The bell is ringing. The bell is ringing./ Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

• Another Romanian version:

[O altă versiune în Română]

Tu dormi înca, tu dormi înca,
Frate Ioane, Frate Ioane?
Clopoţelul sună, clopoţelul sună.
Clinc clinc clinc, clinc clinc clinc.

Translation: Are you still sleeping, are you still sleeping,/ Brother John, brother John?/ The bell is ringing, the bell is ringing./ Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

In Russian

• A version in Russian:

Брат Иван! Эй! Брат Иван! Эй!
Спишь ли ты? Спишь ли ты?
Звонят в колокольчик, Звонят в колокольчик,
Динь-динь-динь, Динь-динь-динь.

Translation: Brother Ivan, / are you sleeping? / The bell (or: a bell) is ringing. (Literally: They ring the bell (or: a bell).) / Din'-din'-din'.
Ivan is of course the Russian name for our "John".

Transliteration:
Brat Ivan! Ei, Brat Ivan! Ei,
Spysh li ty? Spysh li ty?
Zvonjat v kolokol'chik, Zvonjat v kolokol'chik:
Din' din' din', din' din' din!

This version is probably the best known in Europe because it appears as part of the multilingual song "Alle wecken Bruder Jakob" (roughly translated as "All <the people> wake brother Jakob") which is sung by Rolf Zuckowski. This German musician gives concerts in many countries and also sells CDs of his performances. The transliterated text can be found on an Italian web site.

• A very similar (transliterated) Russian version is:

Brat Ivan, brat Ivan,
Spish' li ty, spish' li ty?
Zvoni v kolokola, zvoni v kolokola,
Din', din', din', din', din', din'

Which should be written in Russian:

Брат Иван, Брат Иван,
Спишь ли ты? Спишь ли ты?
Звони в колокола, Звони в колокола,
Динь-динь-динь, Динь-динь-динь.

This version comes from the book: "Basic Russian: Book One" by Mischa A. Fayer (1985, p. 255 ). It isn't sure if this song is an original Russian song. It is also possible that the author has translated the English song for Americans (???) learning Russian.

The difference is "Звони в колокола" [Zvoni v kolokola] (=Ring the bell) instead of "Звонят в колокольчик" [Zvonjat v kolokol'chik] (=The bell (or: a bell) is ringing.) The next difference is that one syllable after the words "Brat Ivan" is missing. The first version with the interjection "Эй!" [Ei!] corresponds better with the tune.

• Another Russian transliterated version is:

Bratets Jakow, bratets Jakow,
Spish li ti, spish li ti?
Slishish zwon na bashne, slishish zwon na bashne?
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

Which should be written in Russian:

Братец Иаков, Братец Иаков,
Спишь ли ты? Спишь ли ты?
Слышишь звон на башне? Слышишь звон на башне?
Дин-дан-дон, Дин-дан-дон.

Translation: Brother Jacob (or: James), / are you sleeping? / Do you hear the bell on the tower? / Din-dan-don.

The name "Jacob" can be written in Russian as "Иаков" or "Яков".
"Братец" [bratets] means a "little brother", but it doesn't mean the age or the growth. It's a familiar way of turning to a brother, e.g. a monk.

This transliterated version comes from a German multilingual songbook. It has been transliterated for English speaker, but the first word there is "bratez" instead of "bratets" - Germans read "z" as [ts].)

• Still another Russian version is:

Дядя Яков, Дядя Яков,
Что ты спишь? Что ты спишь?
Колокол ударил, Колокол ударил,
Дин-дон-дон, Дин-дон-дон.

which can be transliterated as:

Diadia Iakov, Diadia Iakov,
Chto ty spish'? Chto ty spish'?
Kolokol udaril, kolokol udaril:
Din-don-don, din-don-don.

Translation: Uncle (or: Mister) Jacob (or: James), / why are you sleeping? / The bell has been rung. / Ding-Dang-Dong.

The Russian word "дядя" [diadia] means "uncle", but it's a form generally used by Russians to turn to an older man (especially children to an adult man).

This version also can take "Поп Мapтын" [Pop Martyn] (=Pope Martin in English) as its subject. The word "поп" [pop] means a clergyman / priest in the Orthodox Church.

The person who has contributed both versions lives in America. It isn't sure if she has heard them in America or in Russia.

• Another Russian version:

Aх, какoй жe, Братец Иаков,
Ты лентяй, ты лентяй,
Если по неделе, Ты лежишь в постели,
Ай, ай, ай! Ай, ай, ай!

Как поднимем Поскорее
Звон-трезвон, Звон-тревон,
И заставим братца, Делом заниматься,
Дин дон дон, Дин дон дон.

This is transliterated as:

Akh kakoi zhe, bratets Iakov,
Ty lentiai, ty lentiai,
Esli po nedele, Ty lezhish' v posteli
Ai, ai, ai! Ai, ai, ai!

Kak podnimem poskoree
Zvon-trezvon, zvon-trezvon,
I zastavim brattsa, Delom zanimat'sia.
Din don don, din don don.

Translation: Oh, how lazy are you, (little) brother Jacob (or: James), / if during the week / you're lying in your bed! / Oh, oh, oh!
We will soon raise / the bell-chimes, / and then make our (little) brother, / get to his work. / Ding Dang Dong.

Another version is:

Братец Яков, Братец Яков
Спишь ли ты? Спишь ли ты?
Ведь звонят к обедне, Ведь звонят к обедне,
Бим бам бом, Бим бам бом.

Another version is:

Братец Яков, Братец Яков,
Что ты спишь? Что ты спишь?
В колокол звонили, В колокол звонили,
Дин дон дон, Дин дон дон

This is transliterated as:

Bratets Jakow, bratets Jakow,
Chto ti spish, Chto ti spish?
V kolokol zwonili, V kolokol zwonili
Din don don, din don don.

• Another version:

Братец Мартин! Братец Мартин!
Ты не спишь? Ты не спишь?
Бьют часы на башне! Бьют часы на башне!
Динь-динь-дон! Динь-динь-дон!

In Serbian

Драги бато, драги бато,
Спаваш ли? Спаваш ли?
Већ звона сва звоне, већ звона сва звоне,
Динг, денг, донг! Динг, денг, донг!

In Latin script:

Dragi bato, dragi bato,
Spavaš li? Spavaš li?
Već zvona sva zvone, već zvona sva zvone,
Ding, deng, dong! Ding, deng, dong!

Translation:

Dear friend, dear friend,
Are you asleep? Are you asleep?
All the bells are ringing, all the bells are ringing,
Ding, deng, dong! Ding, deng, dong!

In Slovak

Traditional interpretation of rendition in English:
Bratček Janko, bratček Janko!
Ešte spíš? Ešte spíš?
Ráno zvony zvonia, ráno zvony zvonia,
bim, bam, bom, bim, bam, bom!

Literally:
Little brother Johnny, little brother Johnny!
Are you still sleeping, are you still sleeping?
The bells are ring the morning, the bells are ringing the morning,
Ding, dang, dong, ding, dang, dong!

Based on interpretation of rendition in French:
Bratček Kubko, bratček Kubko!
Už nespi! Už nespi!
Ráno rozzvoň zvony, ráno rozzvoň zvony!
Bim, bam, bom, bim, bam, bom!

Literally:
Little brother Jackie, little brother Jackie!
Don’t sleep more, Don’t sleep more!
Ring up the bells in the morning, ring up the bells in the morning,
Ding, dang, dong, ding, dang, dong!

In Slovene

Mojster Jaka, mojster Jaka,
al' že spiš, al' že spiš?
Al' ne slišiš zvona? Al' ne slišiš zvona?
Bim, bam, bom. Bim, bam, bom.

Translation:

Master Jacob, Master Jacob,
Are you still sleeping? Are you still sleeping?
Don't you hear the bell? Don't you hear the bell?
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

Two versions exist, which differ slightly in the second line: Al' že spiš? (literally: "Are you sleeping already?") versus Al' še spiš? ("Are you still sleeping?"). Even though the second one is semantically correct, the first version is much more common.

In Spanish

• A version in Spanish:

¡Fray Felipe!¡Fray Felipe!
¿Duermes tú? ¿Duermes tú?
Suenan las campanas, Suenan las campanas.
¡Ding, dang, dong! ¡Ding, dang, dong!

Some dialects use "Tocan las campanas"

• Another variation Spanish version is:

¡Fray Jacobo !¡Fray Jacobo!
¿Duerme usted? ¿Duerme usted?
Suenan las campanas, Suenan las campanas.
¡Ding, dang, dong! ¡Ding, dang, dong!

¡Martinillo! ¡Martinillo!
¿Dónde estás? ¿Dónde estás?
Suenan las campanas, Suenan las campanas.
¡Din, don, dan! ¡Din, don, dan!

While the first version is closer to the French, this version uses the same name (Martinillo) as the Italian. It also asks, not whether Martinillo is sleeping ("¿Duermes tú?"), but where he is ("¿Dónde estás? ").

Other Spanish versions:

• Fray Santiago, / ¿Duerme usted? / ¡Suenas las campanas! / ¡ Ding, dong, dan !
• Fray Santiago, / ¿Duermes tú? / ¡Tocan a maitines! / ¡ Ding, dang, dong !
• Fray Francisco, / ¿Duermes tú? / ¡Suena la campana! / ¡ Din, don, dan !
• Panadero, / ¿Ya está el pan? / Dámelo caliente. / Ding, dong, dang.
• La lechuza, / hace ¡shh! / Todos calladitos, / por favor.
  • note: This variation is frequently used in kindergartens to call the children to naptime. This version is the one sung by the owl, "La lechuza", Dora and Boots on episode 204 of "Dora the Explorer" entitled "Something's missing".
• ¡Buenos dias! / ¿Como estas? / ¡Tocan las companas! / Ding-dang-dong!
• ¡Muy buen día! / ¡tenga usted! / Toca la campana / ding, dan, don
• Fray Felipe, / ¿Duermes tu? / Toca las companas, / Ding dang dong.
• Fray Santiago, / ¿Duermes ya, duermes ya? / Suenan las campanas, / Din, don, dan.
  • Note: This variation is most common in the Argentinian Spanish dialect:
• Martinillo, / ¿Donde está? / Toca la campana, / Din, don, dan, din, don, dan
• Campanero / duerme ya, / toca la campana, / ding dong dand
• Hermano Pedro / Duerma usted / Suenan las Campanas / ding, dang, dong
• Maestro Pepe / Dormilón / Suenan las Campanas / ding, ding, dong ©
• Las manitas / ¿Dónde están? / Tienen cinco dedos / y se van (frecuently sung to babys to move the hands)

In Swahili

Eh Yakobo, Eh Yakobo,
Walala? Walala?
Amka twende shule, Amka twende shule,
Haya njoo, Haya njoo.

In Swedish

• A version in Swedish is:

Broder Jakob, Broder Jakob,
Sover du? Sover du?
Hör du inte klockan? Hör du inte klockan?
Ding, ding, dong, Ding, ding, dong

An alternative version exists, where "Hör du inte klockan?" ("Don't you hear the bell?") is replaced with "Ring i dina klockor!" ("Ring your bells!"). The former is more common, however.

• Another Swedish version: (This one is not as common though.)

Broder Jacob, broder Jacob
sover du, sover du?
Väckarklockan ringer, Väckarklockan ringer,
Ding dang dong, Ding dang dong

In Somali

• Somali version,most common

Waryaeh, waryaeh

ma hurodah? ma hurodah?

Sa adi, wee ka daah dej, Sa adi, wee ka daah dej

Orodo toos, orodo toos

Shagadi taag laacagti so gaad

In Tagalog

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Tagalog is:

Kuya Juan, Kuya Juan,
Natutulog ka pa? Natutulog ka pa?
Ang kampana'y tumutunog, Ang kampana'y tumutunog
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

In Tamil

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Tamil is:

Djaqueu thambi, Djaqueu thambi
Toungappa? Toungappa?
Manihadi thambi! Manihadi thambi!
Ding, Dong, Bell, Ding, Dong, Bell

Rough translation: Brother James, Are you sleeping? Sound the morning bells little one ! Ding Dong Bell.

or

Chinna Muthu, chinna muthu
Nithiraiyo?, nithiraiyo?
Mani adikirathu! mani adikirathu!
Elumbungo, elumbungo

Rough translation: Small brother, Are you sleeping? The bells are ringing! Please get up.

In Thai

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Thai is:

Phuak toe yuu nai, Phuak toe yuu nai,
yuu nai khrap, yuu nai khrap?
Tham mai mai ma sanuk kan, Tham mai mai ma sanuk kan,
Din dan don, din dan don.

In Turkish

Tembel çocuk, tembel çocuk,
Haydi kalk! Haydi kalk!
Sabah oldu artık, sabah oldu artık,
Ding, dang, dong, ding, dang, dong.

Translation:
Lazy child, lazy child,
Come on, get up! Come on, get up!
It is morning now, it is morning now,
Ding, dang, dong, ding, dang, dong.

Another version of 'Tembel çocuk':
Tembel çocuk, tembel çocuk,
Haydi kalk! Haydi kalk!
İşte sabah oldu, işte sabah oldu,
Gün doğdu, gün doğdu.

In Ukrainian

Брате Йване, брате Йване,
Чи ти спиш, чи ти спиш,
Чи ти чуєш дзвони? Чи ти чуєш дзвони?
Дінь-дінь-дон.

English translation

Brother Jvan, brother Jvan,
Do you sleep? Do you sleep?
Do you hear the bells?
Ding-ding-don.

In Vietnamese

The Vietnamese version is known as a song for children, as its content is different from the original one. Almost any Vietnamese child today knows how to sing it.

Kìa con bướm vàng, kìa con bướm vàng.
Xòe đôi cánh, xòe đôi cánh.
Tung cánh bay năm ba vòng, tung cánh bay năm ba vòng.
Ra mà xem, ra mà xem.

English translation That's a yellow butterfly, That's a yellow butterfly,
Stretching its wings, Stretching its wings
It flies a few rounds,It flies a few rounds,
Come and see, come and see.

An alternative version:
Kìa con bướm vàng, kìa con bướm vàng.
Xòe đôi cánh, xòe đôi cánh.
Bướm bướm vui bay trong vườn, bướm bướm vui bay trong vườn.
Em ngồi xem, em ngồi xem.

That's a yellow butterfly, That's a yellow butterfly,
Stretching its wings, Stretching its wings
It is flying in the garden, It is flying in the garden
I'm watching. I'm watching.

In Wolof

Sama raka modou, sama raka modou,
Yéwougham, Yéwougham,
Gnoundé yayou diné, gnoundé yayou diné,
Ding dong dong, Ding dong dong.

In Xhosa

Utata uJacob, Utata uJacob
Usalele, Usalele
Mamela intsimbi iyakhala, Mamela intsimbi iyakhala
Dieng dong del, Dieng dong del

In Zulu

Baba Jacob, Baba Jacob
Usalela, Usalela
Amasilongo esonto ayakhala, Amasilongo esonto ayakhala
Ding dong del, Ding dong del

Alternative lyrics

There are numerous alternative lyrics to Frère Jacques. Frère Jacques is a melody that might be among the most well-known tunes that exist on Earth. There are many alternative lyrics that have been created for this melody that have nothing to do with bells or sleeping. A few appear here, serving as illustrative examples.

In English

There are numerous alternative lyrics to the Frère Jacques tune in different languages, which is also true of many other children's songs. This is also true in English. Some of the more common English alternative Frère Jacques lyrics are listed below.

Brother James/Jack

A common version is:
Brother Jack, Brother Jack,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring the bell for morning, Ring the bell for morning,
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

The name "James" can be replaced with other names like Jack and John. Another popular version runs:

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping,
Brother John? Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing. Morning bells are ringing.
Ding, dong, ding. Ding, dong, ding.

Rivalry

English officer cadets are known to have taunted French cadets during exchanges with the following lyrics, invoking the names of battles in which English forces have defeated French forces:

Agincourt, Agincourt.

Crécy too. Crécy too.

Nile and Trafalgar. Nile and Trafalgar.

Waterloo. Waterloo.

Happy Birthday

In the Garfield and Friends episode "Peace and Quiet", Binky the Clown sings a "Happy Birthday" song set to the tune of Frère Jacques:

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Whoop-tee-doo, Whoop-tee-doo,
May your day be pleasant, Open up your present,
Just for you, Just for you.

In The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries episode "Happy Birthday, Scooby Doo", the gang also sings a "Happy Birthday" song set to this version of the tune of Frère Jacques:

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo,
Happy Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Birthday,
Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo.

These versions may be related to the fact that the most popular song on the subject Happy Birthday to You is still under copyright as of 2009, and use of it in film requires the placement of a credit and a fee.

Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
No we're not! No we're not!
When will we be getting there? When will we be getting there?
I don't know! I don't know!

Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today, Sir? Very well. I thank you!
Run and hide! Run and hide!

Another version replaces "run and hide" with "run away" or "let's all play". The song "Where is Thumbkin?" has several other verses.

I hear thunder

In India, English-speaking children are taught another version of this rhyme in the nursery. Perhaps it is related to the monsoon season on the Indian subcontinent:

I hear thunder, I hear thunder,
Hark don't you? Hark don't you? (or: Oh don't you? Oh don't you?)
Pit-a-patter raindrops, Pit-a-patter raindrops,
I'm wet through, So are you.

This version is also well known in England.

Days in the Week

Some children are taught the days in the week through this rhyme:

There are seven, there are seven,
Days in the week, days in the week.
Sunday-Monday-Tuesday, Wednesday-Thursday-Friday,
Saturday. That's the week.

Rheumatism

Rheumatism, Rheumatism,
How it pains, How it pains,
Up and down my system, Up and down my system,
When it rains, When it rains.

Where Is Santa?

There is a Christmas song that is sung to the tune of Frère Jacques:

Where is Santa? Where is Santa?
Here I am. Here I am.
Merry, merry Christmas. Merry, merry Christmas.
Ho, Ho, Ho. Ho, Ho, Ho.

There are dances that go with this song.

Tartan Army

The Tartan Army is a group of soccer enthusiasts who follow the Scottish team. From a soccer tournament in St. Etienne:

Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques,
Norway drew, Norway drew,
Gaunnae beat Morocco, gaunnae beat Morocco
We're gaun' through, we're gaun through.

This was later amended to:

Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques,
Norway drew, Norway drew,
Beaten by Morocco, beaten by Morocco,
We're stuffed noo, we're stuffed noo.

Big auntie at little angel's school

School is over, School is over
Home we'll go, Home we'll go
We'll come back tomorrow, We'll come back tomorrow
Bye bye bye, Bye bye bye

Allan Sherman's version "Sarah Jackman"

In his album My Son, the Folk Singer, Allan Sherman included a variation whose first verse goes:

Sarah Jackman, Sarah Jackman,
How's by you? How's by you?
Whatcha doin' Sarah? Reading John O'Hara;
He's nice too; He's nice too.

Chinese Dynasty Song

Sometimes used in schools to help children remember the Chinese dynasties in order from the foundational period.

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han; Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han;
Sui, Tang, Song; Sui, Tang, Song;
Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic; Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic;
Mao Zedong; Mao Zedong;

Quadratic Formula Mnemonic

Negative B, negative B,
Plus or minus the square root, plus or minus the square root
B squared minus four A C, B squared minus four A C
All over two A, all over two A

Catching Fishes

In the English dub of Nadesico, Yurika sang this version of the song.

Catching fishes, catching fishes
On a hook, on a hook
Take them from the water
Put them in the batter
Yum yum good, yum yum good

Come To dinner

Come to dinner, come to dinner
There's the bell, there's the bell
Bacon and potatoes, bacon and potatoes
Ding, dong, dell, ding,dong, dell

Computer song

scanf char, scanf char
switch case break, switch case break
do include return, do include return
int long int, int long int

School Meals

School meals, School meals
Concrete chips, Concrete chips
Soggy semolena, soggy semolena
I feel sick, I feel sick

Or, as sung by The Singing Kettle popular Scottish children's group:

What's for dinner? What's for dinner?
Think it's stew, think it's stew
Soggy semolina, soggy semolina
No thank you! No thank you!

Alternatively:

School dinners, school dinners
Concrete chips, concrete chips
Soggy semolina, soggy semolina
I feel sick, toilet quick
It's too late, I did it on my plate

Or, the popular song for

Children at Bedtime

Frère Jacques
Frère Jacques
You're in the Car, You're in the Car
Where is Aunt Jemimah? Where is Aunt Jemimah?
Ding Dong Ding; Ding Dong Ding.

Goodnight Brownies

Sung by many packs of Brownie Guides in the UK.

Goodnight brownies, goodnight brownies
Guiders too, guiders too
Put your hats and coats on, put your hats and coats on
Twit twit twoo! Twit twit twoo!

AJK Version Come to dinner, Come to dinner Hear the bells, Hear the bells Bacon and Potatoes, Bacon and Potatoes All done well, All done well

Rise you workers

Written by John Warner(http://folkjohnwarner.com/), sung by union choirs in the Australia.

Rise you workers, rise you workers
Claim your share, claim your share
Wages and conditions, wages and conditions
Must be fair, must be fair

Other subjects

There are numerous other sets of alternative lyrics to the Frere Jacques melody in English, about the water cycle, snow, marsupials, garbage, infectious diseases, squares, counseling, lead pollution, groundhogs, educational theories, Chinese New Year, and many more.

Alternative lyrics in other languages

In Afrikaans

Vader Jakob, vader Jakob,
Slaap jy nog? Slaap jy nog?
Hoor hoe lui die kerkklok, hoor hoe lui die kerkklok,
Ding Dong Dell. Ding Dong Dell.

Translation:

Father Jacob, father Jacob,
Are you still sleeping? Are you still sleeping?
Listen to how the church-bell rings, listen to how the church-bell rings,
Ding Dong Dell. Ding Dong Dell.

In Arabic

رن الجرس، رن الجرس
اسمعوه، اسمعوه
صوته جميل، صوته جميل
دينغ دانغ دونغ

rann aljarasu, rann aljarasu
esma'ooh esma'ooh
sawtohu jameelun, sawtohu jameelun
ding, dang, dong

Literal translation:
The bell rang! the bell rang!
Listen to it, listen to it
Its sound is beautiful, its sound is beautiful
Ding, Dang, Dong

In Bulgarian

Сутрин рано, сутрин рано,
в неделя, в неделя,
камбаните бият, камбаните бият,
бим бам бум, бим бам бум.

In Dutch

Vader Jacob, vader Jacob,
Slaapt gij nog? Slaapt gij nog?
Alle klokken luiden, alle klokken luiden,
Bim bam bom, Bim bam bom.

Literal translation:
Father Jacob, father Jacob,
Are you still asleep? Are you still asleep?
All the bells are ringing, all the bells are ringing,
Bim bam bom, Bim bam bom.

In Cantonese

A children's song in Cantonese:open the mosquito net 打開蚊帳。
打開蚊帳。
有隻蚊。
有隻蚊。
快啲攞把扇嚟。
快啲攞把扇嚟。
撥走佢，撥走佢。

Sound as :

Da hoi man cheung,
Da hoi man cheung,
Yau jek man,
Yau jek man,
Fai D lor ba sin lei,
Fai D lor ba sin lei,
Put chau kui, Put chau kui.

Translation: Open the mosquito net, Open the mosquito net, There's a mosquito, There's a mosquito, Quickly bring a hand-fan, Quickly bring a hand-fan, Fan it away, Fan it away.

In Croatian

Bratec Martin, bratec Martin,
Kaj još spiš, kaj još spiš,
Već ti vura tuče, već ti vura tuče
Din dan don, din dan don.

Translation: Brother Martin/ Why are you still sleeping?/ The clock is beating/ Din dan don

In Danish

Mester Jakob

Mester Jakob, Mester Jakob
Sover du? Sover du?
Hører du ej klokken? Hører du ej klokken?
Bim Bam Bum, Bim Bam Bum

Translation:
Master Jacob, Master Jacob
Are you sleeping? are you sleeping? (or word by word: sleep you? sleep you?)
hear you not the bell? hear you not the bell?
Bim Bam Bum, Bim Bam Bum

In Esperanto

Some Esperanto lyrics to Frère Jacques are:

Per okuloj, per okuloj // by [with] eyes
vidas ni, vidas ni, // we see
vidas per okuloj, vidas per okuloj, // see by eyes
vidas ni. // we see

Per oreloj - aŭdas ni ... // with ears, we hear
Per la nazo - flaras ni ... // with the nose, we smell
Per la buŝo - kantas ni ... // with the mouths, we sing
Per la mano - skribas ni ... // with the hand, we write
Per la gamboj - kuras ni ... // with the legs, we run

Another song:

Eta raŭpo, eta raŭpo,
venas jen, venas jen,
grimpas sur Christina, grimpas sur Christina,
iras for, iras for.

Another song:

Urso bruna, urso bruna // brown bear
estas mi, estas mi // I am
bruna kaj malgranda, bruna kaj malgranda // brown and small
estas mi. // I am

In French

A Frère Jacques-like tune is used as a refrain in the song Frère Jacques, which has lyrics by F. Pothier and music by Léon Raiter:

Frère Jacques,
Frère Jacques,
Dormez vous,
Dormez vous,
Sonnez les matines,
Sonnez les matines,
Din, din, don,
Din, din, don,

Rough translation: Brother James, Brother James, Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? They are sounding the bells, They are sounding the bells, Ding, ding, dong, Ding, ding, dong

Another French version, from Dominique de Villepin:

Cher Jacques, cher Jacques,
Dormez vous, dormez vous?
Sauvez le Parti, sauvez le Parti,
Dingue, dingue, donc, Dingue, dingue, donc.

Rough translation: Dear James, Dear James, Do you sleep, Do you sleep? Save the party, Save the party, Dingue, Dingue, donc. Dingue, dingue, donc.

Another French song that is sung as a round with a Frère Jacques-like melody is:

Londres flambe, Londres flambe,
Quelle affaire, quelle affaire,
Au feu, Au feu,
Plus d'eau, rien à faire!

A version of Frère Jacques sung on Mayotte:

Sur la plage, Sur la plage,
Il y a un nid, Il y a un nid,
Les oiseaux y chantent, Les oiseaux y chantent,
Cui cui cui, Cui cui cui.

In German

Bruder Jakob, Bruder Jakob
Schläfst du noch? Schläfst du noch?
Hörst du nicht die Glocken? Hörst du nicht die Glocken?
Ding Dang Dong, Ding Dang Dong

(Brother Jakob,
are you still sleeping?
Don't you hear the bells,
ding dang dong)

This grammar song is sung in German classes.

Aus, bei, mit, nach, (2x)
seit, von, zu, (2x)
alle brauchen Dativ, (2x)
immerzu. (2x)

Translation: From, with, after, / since, from, to, / all need dative / always.

In Greek (modern)

Η καμπάνα του χωριού μας
την ακούτε παιδιά;
Τι γλυκά σημαίνει! Τι γλυκά σημαίνει!
Ντιν, νταν, ντονκγ. Ντιν, νταν, ντονκγ.

This can be translated as:

The village church bell;
Can you hear it children?
How sweet it sounds! How sweet it sounds!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

In Hebrew

There is a verse in Hebrew entitled "Ahinu Ya'akov" (Hebrew: אחינו יעקב, Brother Jacob) which is sung to this tune, but it is not about sleeping or bells:

אחינו יעקב!
אחינו יעקב!
סע לאט!
סע לאט!
אם תסע מהר,
יתפוס אותך שוטר!
סע לאט!
סע לאט!

This can be translated as:

Brother Jacob!
Brother Jacob!
Drive slowly!
Drive slowly!
If you drive fast,
A policeman will catch you!
Drive slowly!
Drive slowly!

In Icelandic

Meistari Jakob

Meistari Jakob, meistari Jakob
Sefur þú? Sefur þú?
Hvað slær klukkan? Hvað slær klukkan?
Hún slær þrjú. Hún slær þrjú.

Word by word translation:

Master Jacob Master Jacob
Sleep you? Sleep you?
What is the clock ringing? What is the clock ringing? (What time is it?)
It is ringing three. It is ringing three. (It's three o'clock)

In Italian

Fra' Martino, campanaro,
Dormi tu? Dormi tu?
Suona le campane, suona le campane,
Din don dan, din don dan.

In Mandarin

Various Mandarin versions:

三个老虎。 (Sān ge lǎohǔ.)
三个老虎。 (Sān ge lǎohǔ.)
跑得快。 (Pǎo de kuài.)
跑得快。 (Pǎo de kuài.)
一个没有尾巴。 (Yī ge méi yǒu wěiba.)
一个没有尾巴。 (Yī ge méi yǒu wěiba.)
真奇怪。 (Zhēng qíguài.)
真奇怪。 (Zhēng qíguài.)

Translation: Three tigers, Three tigers / Running fast, Running fast / One's without a tail, One's without a tail / Really strange, Really strange. --- By Lie-Hap-Po

两只老虎。 (Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ.)
两只老虎。 (Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ.)
跑得快。 (Pǎo de kuài.)
跑得快。 (Pǎo de kuài.)
一只没有眼睛。 (Yī zhī méi yǒu yǎnjīng.)
一只没有嘴巴。 (Yī zhī méi yǒu weǐbā.)
好奇怪。 (Zhēng qíguài)
好奇怪。 (Zhēng qíguài)

Translation: Two tigers, two tigers / Run so fast, run so fast / One has no eyes, One has no tail / So strange! So strange!

两只老虎。 (Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ.)
两只老虎。 (Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ.)
跑得快。 (Pǎo de kuài.)
跑得快。 (Pǎo de kuài.)
一只没有耳朵。 (Yī zhī méi yǒu ěrduo.)
一只没有尾巴。 (Yī zhī méi yǒu wěiba.)
真奇怪。 (Zhēn qíguài.)
真奇怪。 (Zhēn qíguài.)

Translation: Two tigers, two tigers / run fast, run fast / one has no ears / one has no tail / truly strange, truly strange.

打开蚊帐。 (Dakai wenzhang.)
打开蚊帐。 (Dakai wenzhang.)
有一只蚊子。 (You yi zhi wenzi.)
有一只蚊子。 (You yi zhi wenzi.)
快点打它。 (Kuai dian da ta.)
快点打它。 (Kuai dian da ta.)
打死它。 (Da si ta.)
打死它。 (Da si ta.)

Translation: Open the mosquito net. There is a mosquito. Hurry a little and hit it. Hit and kill it.

In Norwegian

Fader Jacob

Fader Jacob, Fader Jacob, Sover du? Sover du? Hører du ei klokken? Hører du ei klokken? Ding dang dong. Ding dang dong.

Father Jacob, Father Jacob Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? (or word by word: sleep you? sleep you?) Hear you not the bell? Hear you not the bell? Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

In Nuxalkmc

Kaks ti quna?
Kaks ti quna?
Tic tu t'ayc!
Tic tu t'ayc!
Yao, smatmc!
Yao, smatmc!
Iputsut,
Iputsut.

Where is (the thumb)?
Where is (the thumb)?
Here you are!
Here you are!
Hello, friend!
Hello, friend!
Hide away,
Hide away.

Translated from "Where Is Thumbkin?", the other verses substitute the names for each of the other fingers(lhula, k'ita, asik', ts'm) plus the whole hand/palm(suca) and incorporates an identical hand-game.

In Polish

Panie Janie, Panie Janie,
Pora wstać, pora wstać,
Wszystkie dzwony biją,
Wszystkie dzwony biją,
Bim bam bom, bim bam bom.

Translation: Mr John/ Mr John/time to get up/time to get up/all the bells are ringing/all the bells are ringing/bim bam bom

In Portuguese

Estás dormindo, estás dormindo?
Frei João, Frei João
Vai tocar o sino, vai tocar o sino
Dlim, dlim, dlão.

(Translation: Are you sleeping, are you sleeping / Brother John, Brother John / Go and ring the bell, go and ring the bell / Ding, ding, dong)

• The song Os Dedinhos (The Fingers) was made famous in the 1990s by the Brazilian children's television show hostess Eliana:

Polegares, polegares
Onde estão, Aqui estão
Eles se saúdam, Eles se saúdam
E se vão, E se vão

Indicadores, indicadores
Onde estão, Aqui estão
Eles se saúdam, Eles se saúdam
E se vão, E se vão

Dedos médios, dedos médios
Onde estão, Aqui estão
Eles se saúdam, Eles se saúdam
E se vão, E se vão

Anulares, anulares
Onde estão, Aqui estão
Eles se saúdam, Eles se saúdam
E se vão, E se vão

Dedos mínimos, dedos mínimos
Onde estão, Aqui estão
Eles se saúdam, Eles se saúdam
E se vão, E se vão

Todos os dedos, todos os dedos
Onde estão, Aqui estão
Eles se saúdam, Eles se saúdam
E se vão, E se vão

The translation for the first verse would be:

Thumbs, thumbs
Where are they? Here they are
They salute each other, They salute each other
And go away, And go away

These lyrics are similar to the alternative English lyrics entitled "Where is Thumbkin?".

• There's also a Brazilian nursery rhyme, sung to the Frère Jacques tune:

Meu Lanchinho, meu lanchinho
Vou comer, vou comer
Pra ficar fortinho, pra ficar fortinho
E crescer, e crescer.

The translation: "My little snack / I will eat / To become stronger / And grow up"

In Russian

A song in Russian:

Я нe знаю (Ya ne znayu)
Я нe знаю (Ya ne znayu)
Ничего (Nichevo)
Ничего (Nichevo)
Ничего не знаю (Nichevo ne znayu)
Ничего не знаю (Nichevo ne znayu)
Хорошо (Horosho)
Хорошо (Horosho)

Translation:
I don't know
I don't know
Anything
Anything
Don't know anything
Don't know anything
Good
Good

Literal Translation: I don't know, I don't know, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing don't know, Nothing don't know, Well, Well (note: double negatives are typical/usual in Russian)

In Slovenian

Mojster Jaka, mojster Jaka,
al' že spiš, al' že spiš?
Al' ne slišiš zvona? Al' ne slišiš zvona?
Bim, bam, bom. Bim, bam, bom.

Translation

In Spanish

Fray Jacobo, Fray Jacobo
¿Duerme usted? ¿duerme usted?
Suenan las campanas, suenan las campanas,
din dan don, din dan don

(Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
The bells are ringing, the bells are ringing
Din dan don, din dan don)

Fray Felipe, Fray Felipe,
Puedes tú, puedes tú,
Toca la campana, toca la campana,
Tan tan tan, tan tan tan.

Fray Campana, Fray Campana
¿duerme usted? ¿duerme usted?
Suenan las campanas, suenan las campanas,
din don dan, din don dan.

Martinillo, Martinillo
¿dónde estás? ¿dónde estás?
Suenan las campanas, suenan las campanas,
din don dan, din don dan.

In Swedish

Broder Jakob

Broder Jakob, Broder Jakob
sover du? sover du?
hör du inte klockan? hör du inte klockan?
Ding Ding Dong, Ding Ding Dong

Translation:
Brother Jacob, Brother Jacob
Are you sleeping? are you sleeping? (or word by word: sleep you? sleep you?)
hear you not the bell? hear you not the bell?
ding - ding - dong, ding - ding - dong

In Turkish

PARMAK KAÇ

Baş parmağım, baş parmağım nerdesin?
Buradayım
Nasılsın efendim?
Teşekkür ederim.
Parmak kaç, parmak kaç
İşaret parmağım (Chorus)
Yüzük parmağım (Chorus)
Serçe parmağım (Chorus)

Rough translation: Thumb, thumb, where are you? Here I am. How are you sir? I'm fine. Which finger. Which finger. Pointer finger. Ring finger. Pinky.

Literal translation: Head finger, head finger, where are you? I'm here. How are you master. Thank you. Finger how many, finger how many.

In Vietnamese

Yellow Butterfly

Kìa con bướm vàng
Kìa con bướm vàng
Xoè đôi cánh
Xoè đôi cánh
Tung cánh bay năm ba vòng
Tung cánh bay năm ba vòng
Em ngồi xem
Em ngồi xem.

Mealtime

Giờ ăn đến rồi
Giờ ăn đến rồi
Mời anh xơi
Mời em xơi
Nâng chén lên cho cao này
nâng đũa lên cho cao này
Ta cùng xơi
ta cùng xơi.

Bell sounds in French

There are clearly many different descriptions of the sound of the bells in different languages. However, even in French versions of Frère Jacques there are a variety of sounds attributed to a set of bells:

1. Din, dan, don.
2. Ding, dang dong.
3. din, din, don.
4. Ding deng dong.
5. ding, din, don.
6. Di, din, don.
7. Dig, ding, don.
8. Dingue, dingue, donc.
9. Din, don, dan.
10. Bing, Bang, Bong.

External links

• a "Frère Jacques" multilingual collection on video
• An intercultural teaching document with some translations
• A German song book with some translations
• A multilingual songbook
• Many versions of Frère Jacques in different languages
• Frère Jacques lyrics in different languages
• Another website with Frère Jacques lyrics in different languages

Category:French folk songs Category:Traditional children's songs Category:Translations