American Horror Story - Dominique

Lyrics for «Dominique» translated by myself into EN below. Of all the creepy things in American Horror Story: Asylum, one of the creepiest is the song that Sister Jude insists on playing in the rec room of Briarcliff Manor. As the inmates bash their heads against the walls and masturbate uncontrollably (the two recreations are really apposite), they’re forced to listen to a perpetual loop of “Dominique” by The Singing Nun.

«Dominique» was originally a number-one hit in 1964 by Belgian nun Sister Jeanine Decker a.k.a. the Singing Nun. This cheerful song (Dominique - nique - nique «nique» meaning to fuck(up) in French) which was spruced up and used for a dark and creepy context as Sister Jude in American Horror Story insists upon playing this oh-so-cheerful tune in such a weird and creepy place. The use exemplifies the utter wrongness of the whole scene adding to the effect.

After the Singing Nun's musical success with the original of this song, she left the convent and began what seems to have been a long-time lesbian relationship. But she appears to have been plagued by depression, and her former church took several steps to ruin her financially. So eventually, she and her lover killed themselves. It was a bitterly ironic end for a woman who rose to fame as a happy, singing bride of God.

So when you watch Asylum, remember that “Dominique” became a chipper soundtrack for the destruction of the woman who sang it. It’s not just on TV that the appearance of religious joy can be a cover for deep wells of pain.

Paroles- «Dominique» en EN:
Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On route, poor and chanting
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

At the time when John Lackland,
Of England was King
Dominique our father,
Fought the Albigensian.

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On route, poor and chanting
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

Some days a heretic,
By brambles leads
But our Father Dominique,
For his joy converts him

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On-road, poor and singing
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

Or camel, or diligence,
He toured Europe on foot
Scandinavia and Provence,
In holy poverty

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On-road, poor and singing
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

Kindled from any school
Girls & boys full of ardour
And to broadcast the word,
Invented the friar-preachers

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On-road, poor and singing
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

With Dominique and his brothers,
The bread came to be missed
And two angels were on the Way,
Carrying large toasted loaves

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On-road, poor and singing
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

Dominique saw in a dream,
Preachers around the world
Under the Virgin's mantle,
In many gathered.

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
Road, poor and singing
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God

Dominique, my good Father,
Keep us simple and all gay[sic]
To announce to our brothers,
Life and truth.

Dominique, nique, nique
Went simply
On-road, poor and singing
In all ways, in all places,
He speaks only of God,
He speaks only of God