Meunier tu dors

Meunier tu dors is a French nursery rhyme composed at the beginning of the 20th century which refers to the dozing of a person like the song Frère Jacques.

The story of the song

Meunier tu dors is based on a song by Léon Raiter (1893-1978) and Fernand Pothier composed at the beginning of the 20th century.

The song illustrates the difficult task facing the miller (le meunier) of the windmill (moulin à vent). He has to work 24 hours a day to take advantage of the wind. In addition, the miller has to keep an eye on the changing direction of the wind to adjust the orientation of the wings if necessary.

Not too fast, miller!

A bell ringing at each turn allowed the miller to evaluate the speed of his mill.

If he went too fast, there was a risk of explosion due to the particles of flour, dust and others suspended in the air and to the fact that the millstones containing flint could generate sparks.

It was better not to sleep!

The windmill became widespread in Europe around the 11th century.

It first developed on the coast of the northern countries: Great Britain, the Netherlands. It then expanded in the countries on the Atlantic coast: Portugal, France, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea: Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and on the islands, including the Mediterranean Sea.

They are found on hilltops, either isolated or grouped in series, as well as in places far from watercourses.

The first windmills in France

The first evidence of a windmill in France dates back to 1170 when it was mentioned in a charter of the town of Arles.

It developed in the 11th century in regions with windy coasts (Cotentin, Pays de Caux, Brittany).

The end of windmills

The widespread use of electricity in the countryside and the appearance of industrial flour mills led to a rapid decline in windmills during the 20th century.

They were also disadvantaged by the harshness of the miller's trade and by the periods of unemployment often imposed by the absence of wind.

You can still see many windmills across France, including in Paris, Provence and the Loire Valley.

Meunier tu dors

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The lyrics in French

The original song of Meunier tu dors has 3 verses and a chorus.

The nursery rhyme is sung to the child to teach them to move their arms and sing along to a crescendo rhythm. The children stand in a circle and turn louder and louder to the melody of the rhyme.

Translation of the lyrics into English

Here is an approximative translation into English:

Verse 1

Miller, you sleep: your mill goes too fast.
Miller, you sleep: your mill your mill is going too hard.

Chorus

Your mill, your mill goes too fast
Your mill, your mill is going too hard
Your mill, your mill goes too fast
Your mill, your mill is going too hard

Verse 2

Miller, you sleep and the wind blows.
Miller, you sleep and the wind blows hard.

Verse 3

Miller, you sleep; here comes the storm.
The sky is black: it will soon rain.