Are You Sleeping (Brother John / Frère Jacques) Lyrics

Originally a French round called Frère Jacques, first published around 1780. Sung as a canon (round), it is one of the most recognized melodies worldwide. Best for ages 2–8. The simple, repetitive four-line structure makes it the ideal first song for teaching children how rounds work — start one singer, bring in the second when the first reaches line two, and listen as the parts weave together. Music educators consider this the gateway song to part-singing. The bilingual French/English versions also make it a natural introduction to a second language. For more bilingual and round-singing ideas, see [raising a bilingual child: tips for parents](/blog/raising-a-bilingual-child-tips-for-parents) and [group singing benefits for children](/blog/group-singing-benefits-for-children).

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

(Frère Jacques version:)
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines!
Sonnez les matines!
Din, din, don! Din, din, don!