Frère Jacques

Frère Jacques is a French round. It was composed in the 18th century. The composer is unknown today, but many people believe it was Jean-Philippe Rameau.^[1] The text has been translated into many languages, also outside Europe. The third movement of Gustav Mahler's first symphony starts with this tune, which is transposed into minor key.

Score[change | change source]

$\relative c' { \key d \major d4 e4 fis4 d4 | d4 e4 fis4 d4 |fis4 g4 a2 |fis4 g4 a2 a8. b16 a8 g8 fis4 d4 | a'8. b16 a8 g8 fis4 d4 | d4 a4 d2 | d4 a4 d2 \bar "|." } \addlyrics { Frè -- re Jac -- ques, | Frè -- re Jac -- ques, | dor -- mez -- vous? | Dor -- mez -- vous? Son -- nez les ma -- ti -- nes, | Son -- nez les ma -- ti -- nes, | ding ding dong, | ding ding dong! }$

The tune can be sung in a canon, with four voices.

References[change | change source]

↑ Jean-Philippe Rameau est l’auteur de Frère Jacques. In: La Croix, 6 October 2014.

[1] Jean-Philippe Rameau est l’auteur de Frère Jacques. In: La Croix, 6 October 2014.

[1]