Translations of Frère Jacques

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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.

Contents 1 In French 2 In English 3 Versions in Other Languages 3.1 In Afrikaans 3.2 In Albanian 3.3 In Arabic 3.4 In Basque 3.5 In Berber 3.6 In Moroccan Arabic 3.7 In Cherokee 3.8 In Cree 3.9 In Croatian 3.10 In Czech 3.11 In Danish 3.12 In Dutch 3.13 In Esperanto 3.14 In Fakauvea 3.15 In Faroese 3.16 In Filipino 3.17 In Finnish 3.18 In Flemish 3.19 In Gaeilge 3.20 In Gaelic 3.21 In German 3.22 In Greek (modern) 3.23 In Attic Greek 3.24 In Haitian Creole 3.25 In Hebrew 3.26 In Hindi 3.27 In Hungarian 3.28 In Icelandic 3.29 In Indonesian 3.30 In Italian 3.31 In Japanese 3.32 In Latin 3.33 In Norwegian 3.34 In Palikur 3.35 In Papiamento 3.36 In Polish 3.37 In Portuguese 3.38 In Provençal 3.39 In Romanian 3.40 In Russian 3.41 In Slovenian 3.42 In Spanish 3.43 In Swahili 3.44 In Swedish 3.45 In Tamil 3.46 In Thai 3.47 In Turkish 3.48 In Vietnamese 3.49 In Wolof 3.50 In Xhosa 3.51 In Zulu 4 Bell Sounds in French 5 Alternative lyrics to Frère Jacques 6 References

[edit] 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 translaton: Brother James, Brother James, Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Sound the morning prayer bells! Sound the morning prayer bells! Din, dan, don. Din, dan, don.

• 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 James, Brother James, 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?
Tous les cloches sonnent, Tous les cloches sonnent,
Ding deng dong. Ding deng dong.

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

[edit] In English

• The most common English language version is:

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 "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).

[edit] Versions in Other Languages

Some translations and versions include:

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] In Arabic

ﺪﻖ ﺁﻠﺠﺮﺲ ﺪﻖ ﺁﻠﺠﺮﺲ ﺇﺴﻤﻌﻮﺍ ﺇﺴﻤﻌﻮﺍ إنه صوت جميل

[edit] In Basque

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

[edit] In Berber

gma hassan gma hassan
yalah atgant yalah atgant
arkih youchkad sbah

[edit] In Moroccan Arabic

Khou ya Hassan, khou ya Hassan,
Naas mezian, naas mezian ?
Fiksbah bakri, fiksbah bakri
Khalik men lemsah, khalik men lemsah

Alternate lyrics:

khoya hassan khoya hassan
yalah ana3sso yalah ana3sso

[edit] 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

[edit] In Cree

There is a Cree version called Kinnipan Tsi.

[edit] In Croatian

(Kajkavian dialect)

Bratec Martin, bratec Martin
Kaj još spiš, kaj još spiš?
Več ti ura tuče, več ti ura tuče
Bim, bam, bom

[edit] 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 Jakob (or: James), / are you still sleeping? / The sun shines outside, and you are on your pillow. / Get up finally.
(There isn't any "ding-dang-dong" in this version!)

• 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. / ...

[edit] In Danish

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

Translation:

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

[edit] 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.

• Another Dutch version is

Vader Jekke, Vader Jekke,
slaap je nog, slaap je nog,
alle klokken luiden, alle 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^[1]

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

Another Dutch version begins:

• Broertje Jacob, broertje Jacob, slaap je nog, slaap je nog...

[edit] In Esperanto

• A version in Esperanto is:

Frat’ Jakobo,
Frat’ Jakobo,
Ĉu en dorm’?
Ĉu en dorm’?
Iru sonorigu,
Iru sonorigu,
Bim, bam, bom...
Bim, bam, bom...

Translation: Brother Jacob (or: James), / are you sleeping? / Go and ring. / 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'?
[???]
Bim, bam, bom...
Bim, bam, bom...

Translation: Are you sleeping, / Brother Jacob (or: James)? / [???]
This version comes from Norway (translation by Jon Rømmesmo). ^[2]

[edit] 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.

[edit] In Faroese

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

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

[edit] In Filipino

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Tagalog is:
Kuya Juan, Kuya Juan,
Natutulog ka pa? Natutulog ka pa?
Ang kapmana'y tumutunog, Ang kampana'y tumutunog
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

[edit] In Finnish

• A version in Finnish is:

Jaakko kulta,
Jaakko kulta,
Herää jo,
Herää jo.
Kellojasi soita,
Kellojasi soita.
Piu pau pou,
Piu pau pou.

Translation: Dear Jaakko, / wake up already. / Ring thy bells.
In the Finnish version, the question "are you sleeping?" is replaced with a command to wake up ("Herää jo").

• A slightly different Finnish version (written in English orthography!):

Yacko Koolta, Yacko Koolta, / Herio, herio. / Kello yasa soita, kello yasa soita, / Pim pom pume, pim pom pume.

The only difference seems to be "Pim pom pume" instead of "Piu pau pou". Maybe "Kellojasi soita" and "Kello yasa soita" are other grammatical forms or the second one is a mistake.

[edit] In Flemish

(Dutch from Flanders)

Broeder Jakob, Broeder Jakob,
Slaapt gij nog? Slaapt gij nog?
Hoor de klokken luiden, Hoor de klokken luiden,
Bim bam bom, Bim bam bom.

A slightly different version in Flemish replaces the sound of the drum with "Broeder":

• Broeder Jacob, Broeder Jacob, Slaapt gij nog, slaapt gij nog, Hoor de klokken luiden, hoor de klokken luiden, Broeder, Broeder © Copyright De Meester - Dequidt

[edit] 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

[edit] In Gaelic

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

[edit] 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) ^[3]

• 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).

[edit] In Greek (modern)

adelfé iakové, adelfé iakové,
kimassé, kimassé,
simanété ton ortro, simanété ton ortro
Ding ding dong, Ding ding dong

[edit] In Attic Greek

ἔτι καθευδεις, Ιωαννης
κώδωνες κροτόνται
ἀκούεις τους ἀδελφέ, ἀδελφέ θεοφιλής,
δαγγ δογγ δαγγ, δαγγ δογγ δαγγ.

καθεύδετε, καθεύδετε,
Ἰωάννης, Ἰωάννης;
κώδωνες κροτόνται, κώδωνες κροτόνται,
δαγγ δογγ δαγγ, δαγγ δογγ δαγγ.

[edit] In Haitian Creole

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

[edit] In Hebrew

Achinu Jaacov, Achinu Jaacov
al tischaan, al tischaan
hapa-amon melzalzäl,
ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

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

[edit] In Hindi

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Hindi is:

Fotsin Jako, Fotsin Jako
nisbetja, nisbetja
Tinbatire linso, tinbatire linso
Tom peng pung, tom peng pung

[edit] In Hungarian

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

Translation: Uncle (=Mister) John, / get up. / The bells are ringing. / 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 Hungarian verb "keljen fel" is the imperative formal form (third person sg.) of the verb "felkel(ni)".

[edit] In Icelandic

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

[edit] In Indonesian

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

[edit] 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, Ding-dang-dong, ding-dang-dong!

[edit] 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。

The above is a translation of the Latin verse.
In Japanese kindergarten and elementary schools, however, the following version is quite often sung:
Guu chokipaa de guu chokipaa de
Nani tsukurou　Nani tsukurou
Migite ga guu de
Hidarite ga paa de
Herikoputaa, herikoputaa

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
左手がパーで
ヘリコプター、ヘリコプター

[edit] 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.^[4]

[edit] 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?". Also, Father is used instead of Brother, which appears to refer to a priest instead of a monk. See religion in Norway.

[edit] In Palikur

The Frère Jacques song is in the Palikur language is entitled "Nab ba tek".

[edit] In Papiamento

Ruman Jacobo,
Ruman Jacobo,
Ainda bo ta drumi?
Ainda bo ta drumi?
Tend'e bel ta bati,
Tend'e bel ta bati,
Ding ding dong!
Ding ding dong!

[edit] 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, / get up in the morning. / All the bells are ringing. / Bim, bam, bom.

• Another Polish version:

Panie Janie, Panie Janie,
pora wstać, pora wstać.
Wszystkie dzwony biją,
wszystkie dzwony biją.
Din don dan,
din don dan.

Translation: Mister John (2x) / time to get up (2x)/ All the bells are ringing (2x) / Din don dan (2x)

[edit] In Portuguese

• 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".

[edit] In Provençal

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

[edit] In Romanian

• A version in Romanian:

Frate Ioane, Frate Ioane
Oare dormi tu, oare dormi tu?
Suna clopotelul, Suna clopotelul
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong

• Another Romanian version:
  

Tu dormi inca, tu dormi inca,
Frate Ioane, Frate Ioane?
Clopotelul suna, clopotelul suna.
Clinc clinc clinc, clinc clinc clinc.

[edit] 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 of the multilingual song "Alle wecken Bruder Jakob" (= All (the people) wake brother Jakob) which is sung by Rolf Zuckowski. ^[5] The German musician gives concerts in many countries and sells there his CDs. The transliterated text can be found on an Italian web site. ^[6]

• A very similar (transliterated) Russian version is: ^[7]

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 dosn'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. ^[8] 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: ^[9]

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: ^[10]

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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:

¡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 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.
• ¡Buenas dias! ¡Buenas dias! ¿Como estas? ¿Como estas? ¡Tocan las companas! ¡Tocan las companas! Ding-dang-dong! Ding-dang-dong!
• Fray Felipe, Fray Felipe, ¿Duermes tu? ¿Duermes tu? Toca las companas, toca las companas, Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.
• Martinillo, martinillo, ¿Donde está, donde está?, Toca la campana, Din, don, dan, din, don, dan
• Campanero Campanero duerme ya, duerme ya, toca la campana, toca la campana, ding dong dand, ding dong dang

• A variant in the Argentinian Spanish dialect:

Fray Santiago, Fray Santiago,
¿Duermes ya, duermes ya?
|: Suenan las campanas, :|
Din, don, dan; din, don, dan.

[edit] In Swahili

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

[edit] 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:
  

Broder Jacob, broder Jacob
sover du, sover du?
|: Väckarklockan ringer, :|
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

[edit] 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.

[edit] In Thai

A transliterated version of Frère Jacques in Thai is:

Puak tur yu nai, puak tur yu nai,
yu nai camp, yu nai camp?
|:Tam mai mai ma sanuk kan, :|
Din dan don, din dan don.

[edit] In Turkish

Uyuyor musun, uyuyor musun,
kardeş Can, kardeş Can?
|: Sabah Çanlari Çaliyor, :|
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

An alternate version in Turkish:

Tembel çocuk, tembel çocuk
Haydi kalk, haydi kalk
İşte sabah oldu, işte sabah oldu
Gün doğdu, gün doğdu.

[edit] In Vietnamese

Kià con buom vàng, kià con buom vàng,
xoe doi cành, xoe doi cành?
Tung cánh bay năm ba vòng, tung cánh bay năm ba vòng.
Ra mà xem, ra mà xem.

[edit] In Wolof

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

[edit] In Xhosa

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

[edit] In Zulu

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] Alternative lyrics to Frère Jacques

[edit] References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ http://esperanto.org/Ondo/Recenzoj/R-kant1.htm The text ought to be completed.
3. ^ http://www.celtoslavica.de/johannesritter/johannesritter.text/johannesritter_kap.3.html , especially point 14-18
4. ^ Ludamus una, Mrs. Tiborne Baranyai
5. ^ http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf_Zuckowski
6. ^ http://www.filastrocche.it/nostalgici/canzoni/fra.htm
7. ^ http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0202&L=seelangs&D=1&F=&S=&P=6408
8. ^ http://www.laukart.de/multisite/songbook/russian.php#sleeping
9. ^ http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0202&L=seelangs&D=1&F=&S=&P=6408
10. ^ http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0202&L=seelangs&P=6872

• 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