Are You Sleeping (Frere Jacques)
Key: C100 BPMGuitar & Piano chords
Are You Sleeping Lyrics. A French nursery round sung for generations under its original title, “Frere Jacques”, and known in English as “Are You Sleeping”. Its short, repeating phrases and gentle question make it one of the very first songs children learn to sing together, often as a round, with each singer starting a line behind the one before. Here you will find both the French and English lyrics, meaning, and chords for guitar and piano.
French
CFrere Jacques, CFrere Jacques,
CDormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
G7Sonnez les matines, G7sonnez les matines,
CDing ding dong, Cding ding dong.
English
CAre you sleeping, Care you sleeping,
CBrother John, Brother John?
G7Morning bells are ringing, G7morning bells are ringing,
CDing ding dong, Cding ding dong.
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Chords for Guitar & Piano
C
Guitar
Piano
G7
Guitar
Piano
Good to know
What “Are You Sleeping” Means
The melody has been sung in France since at least the 18th century, though no one knows who wrote it or who “Frere Jacques” (Brother James) really was, most likely a member of a monastic order being gently teased for oversleeping and missing the bells that called monks to morning prayer, or “matines”. Sung today in dozens of languages, it remains one of the simplest and most-loved rounds in the world, a first taste of singing in harmony for many children.
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This lullaby is also available as a full handplayed recording.
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