Nursery Rhymes›Fais Do-Do (Cajun)
Fais Do-Do (Cajun Lullaby)
Key: C major~76 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsTraditional · Cajun, Louisiana
Fais Do-Do Cajun Lullaby Lyrics. A traditional Cajun lullaby from Louisiana, where “fais do-do” is a local expression meaning “go to sleep.” Rooted in French-Acadian culture, it is still sung today in the American South. Here you will find the lyrics, translation, and meaning.
Sing & play
Lyrics & chords
The Cajun French words, with guitar & piano chords above each line.
Traditional verse
C G7 C
Fais do-do, Catin, fais do-do,
C G7 C
petit bébé va faire dodo.
F C F C
Maman est en haut, qui fait du gâteau,
F C G7 C
Papa est en bas, qui fait du chocolat.
In English
What the words mean
“Sleep now, little doll, go to sleep — baby will soon be dreaming. Mummy is upstairs making a cake, Daddy is downstairs making chocolate.”
Play it
Chords — guitar & piano
C
Guitar
Piano
F
Guitar
Piano
G7
Guitar
Piano
Free printable chord sheet
Fais Do-Do (Cajun Lullaby) — guitar & piano chords
A clean, printable PDF of the chords on this page. Free for members — sign in to download.
Good to know
What “Fais Do-Do” Means
Louisiana has a lullaby tradition unlike anywhere else, where French roots meet African-American rhythm in the cradle of jazz. French-speaking settlers brought the old Fais dodo with them from France, but here it grew a gently swaying, syncopated Cajun lilt of its own — and Catin became an affectionate Cajun word for a little doll. The words “fais do-do” (“go beddy-bye”) even gave their name to the famous fais-dodo country dances, where parents tucked their babies to sleep in a quiet side room while the band played on softly into the night.
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