Song Parodies -> "Sleep Oddity (Are you sleeping, Brother John?"

Original Song Title:

"Space Oddity (Ground Control to Major Tom)"

Original Performer:

"Sleep Oddity (Are you sleeping, Brother John?"

Parody Written by:

The Lyrics

Picture a tiny monastery in the hills of France. It's almost time for breakfast, and the other Brothers are trying to wake up Brother John. Again. He ain't too happy, either. But think about it...if you heard that same song every morning, wouldn't you be grouchy too? So, the monks hire David Bowie to try and get him out of bed...

(The other brothers)
Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Rooster's crowing now, and soon it will be dawn

(in the background)
Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong, ding...

Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Are you awake now? Time to yawn
Put your robes on and may God's love be with you

Listen, are you sleeping, Brother John?
You're really very late
And the people want to know who cuts your hair
Now it's time to leave your chambers if you dare

(Brother John, trying to go back to sleep)
"This is Brother John. I am awake!
Stop banging on my door!
Bells are ringing in a most peculiar way
But I think I will be sleeping in today!"

But here
In our tiny monastery
Cut off from the world
Time for sleep is gone
Bells are ringing- Ding ding dong

(Brother John)
"Now I've slept one hundred thousand times
The bells are ringing still
And I think my brothers know which way to go
All my life these bells are ringing on, you know!"

Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Why aren't you up yet? Something wrong?
Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Are you sleeping, Brother John?
Are you...

Hearing the morning bells a-ringing?
Breakfast will be here soon
But if you don't come to
Then there'll be no food for you...

Hoping to make a triumphant return to the ranks of Artistry...been away from that great meeting of the minds for too long

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Michael Pacholek - December 04, 2012 - Report this comment

A brilliant idea, well executed.

John Barry - December 04, 2012 - Report this comment

What MP said!

Dave W. - December 04, 2012 - Report this comment

Some Tim Hortons morning coffee otta perk him up....he can dunk all the damn ding dongs in der ...eh ?

Andy Primus - December 04, 2012 - Report this comment

What JAB said about what MP said!

WarrenB - December 04, 2012 - Report this comment

An original. Just the visual of Bowie standing outside the door crooning makes this a lot of fun.

Meriadoc - December 04, 2012 - Report this comment

First of all, so glad you see you back! Secondly, this is a very clever idea for this song. The ballad of Friar Jacque went well.

Lifeliver - December 05, 2012 - Report this comment

If I were cloistered like that I wouldn't want to wake up either, but he can always catch up during prayer. Imaginative, playful stuff. I'd like to give this campy classic a rude awakening one day.

Peregrin - December 05, 2012 - Report this comment

Agreed, great job Syncro-mesh, and so good to see you back :)

glen s - December 05, 2012 - Report this comment

Glad you rereleased this. Reads great, spot on pacing and very clever. Also happy to see you back around man.

Agrimorfee - December 18, 2012 - Report this comment

555 Pater Nosters, brother.

Matthias - December 20, 2012 - Report this comment

Hate to be the black sheep to all of these positive comments but this parody didn't do much for me. I usually love your work which makes it hard for me to say this but it was just a bit dull to me. The topic about sleeping to such a sleepy OS kinda hurt the humor on this one. Sorry bro

bobpiecheese - December 28, 2012 - Report this comment

(Artistry) I agree with Matthias. Nothing really stood out in this parody, and the whole monastery setting was kinda pointless in the overall scheme of things. I'm trying not to be rude here, but a triumphant return? Maybe next time, sorry to say.

Rex - December 31, 2012 - Report this comment

Well, I thought it was pretty inspired to fit Frère Jacques into a Bowie tune. It would have been nice to find out that he sleeps so much because they're the beer-making friars and he's the taster... :-)

Syncronos - January 02, 2013 - Report this comment

No need to apologize, guys. I'm just happy to have an outlet where creativity (or in this case, my lack thereof *chuckle*) is appreciated. The fact that I'm able to connect with you guys again is a triumphant return in and of itself.

Meriadoc - January 02, 2013 - Report this comment

(Artistry) I stick to my comments above. I thought this was very entertaining in a clever and roll way.

Peregrin - January 03, 2013 - Report this comment

And mine as well, Syncro. Good work!

Below Average Dave - January 04, 2013 - Report this comment

Not all parodies are about comedy, it would appear to me this more about simply enjoying the art of writing. . .and I can't blame you, I've had some of those parodies as well (A Girl in Chesapeake or Rainbow for example)

glen s - January 04, 2013 - Report this comment

Back for more. Well done staying 'in character'. A very good story parody.

Alpha Skua - December 26, 2017 - Report this comment

A friendly cup of Joe and he will be ready for the rest of their day when the caffein kicks in

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