Lyr Req: The Frog's Wedding (from The Johnstons)

Subject: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Spot
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:27 PM

Hallo everybody

                  Any one know said song - off an early vinyl called simply "The Johnstons"...

          All help gratefully received...

             Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Spot
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:27 PM

Forgot to say - I'd very much like the lyrics (not in DT)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Declan
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:31 PM

I don't know the Johnston's version of this song, but there are many versions all of which seem to have some sort of a nonsense chorus to them.

Do you know what the nonsense bit in this song is? That might help to point us to the particular version you're looking for.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Susan of DT
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:34 PM

We gave this song DT #306. The first after the 305 Child numbers. So search for DT #306 for get 6 versions of the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Spot
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 02:49 PM

Thanks Susan

   Not in, Im afraid...   :-)   it goes something a- like a-this


A frog went out to woo a mouse

Follow the rink a rar- i- o   (??)

The froggy went down to the mouse's house

Follow etc


But first he came to Miss Mouse's home

Follow etc


   I dont know any more...sorry.

Not sung to "Froggy went a-courting" tune

                   Regards ..Spot

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Cattail
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 04:04 PM

Hi Spot.

This track by the Johnstons was also on an album called:-

"HERE'S TO THE IRISH Vol 1", circa 1968

I think it was a transatlantic album, but not sure on that until I dig it out.

I will have a listen to it and see what I can pick out for you.

Cheers for now

Cattail !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Spot
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 05:49 PM

Just thought- The tune is vaguely reminiscent of " The day we went to Rothesea-o"    ( I think!!)

                   Spot

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FROG'S WEDDING (from The Johnstons)
From: Cattail
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 07:05 PM

Hello again Spot.

Well, you do seem to have the knack of picking all the good songs that need to be transcribed don't you? Yet another cracking song, one of my favourites from way back, I haven't played it in ages so it was lovely to hear it again.

I have done the best I can with it, but....as always, there are a couple of bits I just can't pick out.

The third line in verse two sounds like the line I have put in but I suppose it could be anything.

In the third line in verse five the word could be label, table, ladle etc.

The rest of it is good and I have made the fol rol bits as they sound.

I'm sure someone else will be along in a while to put the corrections in for you, but here it is until then.


THE FROG'S WEDDING
By The Johnstons

INTRO: Instrumental, one verse

1. A frog went out to woo a mouse.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
A frog went out to woo a mouse.
The froggie went down to the mouse's house.
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

2. Well, first he came to Miss Mousie's hall.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
First he came to Miss Mousie's hall.
There ain't nothing merry at all There he did knock and there he did call.
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

3. He said, "Missy Mouse, will you marry me?"
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
He said, "Missy Mouse, will you marry me?"
"I will," said she, "if my uncle agrees."
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

4. Consent was given and that was that.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
Consent was given and that was that.
The weddin' reception was held in a hat.
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

* Instrumental break, one verse

5. The first to come in was a bumblebee.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
The first to come in was a bumblebee.
He carried his fiddle on his knee (Sounds like ladle, table etc.)
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

6. The next to come in were two little white doves.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
The next to come in were two little white doves,
Complete with britches and with gloves.
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

7. The next to come in was a big black snail.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
The next to come in was a big black snail.
He carried his bagpipes on his tail.
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

8. They all made merry and danced around.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
They all made merry and danced around
Until there was no more wine to be found.
    Follow the rinQ why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for lay for randy

* Instrumental break, one verse

9. The next to come in was a big black cat.
    Fol rol the rinQ why air aye oh
The next to come in was a big black cat.
He ate Missy Mouse and that was that! [Song stops dead.]


I see what you mean about the tune, but no, it's not the same.
Hope you like the lyrics anyway.

Cheers
Cattail !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Snuffy
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 07:42 PM

Cattail.

That's pretty much how I hear it too

In verse 2 I think it's Miss Mouse's hole, rather than her hall. And the next line is "There he did ???? and there he did ????" but I can't make out the two words - they sound like gasp and dole, neither of which make much sense.

I'm almost certain it's a ladle in verse 5

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 07:52 PM

That'll be the Johnstons with Paul Brady and Mick Moloney?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Cattail
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 08:27 PM

Thanks for the input Snuffy, it's too late now to have another listen
to it but I'll see what I think tomorrow.

Yes, it sounded like ladle to me as well, but that doesn't make a
lot of sense really, so I thought I'd leave it open.

Kitty, you are probably correct, I don't know who was in the lineup
for that track (and probably never will, it was a sampler album),
but I do have another couple of albums by them and will have a look
who was in the group when I can find them.

Off to bed now.

Bye

Cattail !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Effsee
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 09:35 PM

"That'll be the Johnstons with Paul Brady and Mick Moloney?"... Oh yes, the very same!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: GUEST,Black Hawk
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 02:49 AM

Most version of 'Froggy went a'courtin' I've heard he bounces a fiddle on his knee - could be the same in this version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Spot
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 02:56 AM

Cattail

             You are a star , once again!!   Thank you very much for your efforts and everyone else for their comments

                        Best Regards .. Spot    :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: MartinRyan
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 03:40 AM

I think that version would have come from Sarah Makem, originally. Not sure where it's it print - I'll have a look.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Mr Happy
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 10:49 AM

...........he then shook hands with a bumble bee
who balanced a fiddle on his knee

falala rink kay ar eye-o
o falala rink to randy!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Cattail
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 03:32 PM

Thanks for that, Spot, glad to be able to help a little.

Thanks also to everyone else on the thread for their knowledge and
helpful comments.

Cheers

Cattail !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 07:09 PM

This thread just brought back great memories of the Johnstons at the Herga folk club - not just trad, but the urge for going, too - and the days when Mick and Paul and others would just turn up at the club because they were passing through London......

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Johnstons - Frogs Wedding
From: Mr Happy
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 07:22 PM

Couldn't find Johnstons, but this one's nice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oonXO6arkOw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frog's Wedding (The Johnstons)
From: GUEST,Anne
Date: 14 Aug 11 - 10:35 AM

It's not a ladle or a table, it's a fiddle!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frog's Wedding (The Johnstons)
From: GUEST,Anne
Date: 14 Aug 11 - 10:44 AM

Oh, and they're not doves but dogs, complete with breeches and with clogs.

Dunno about the second verse: I've never sung that one so I can't comment.

And refrain is "Fol lo the right for lero lero... fal tatty fal aye fal andy". Well, that's how I've always sung it for the last 100 years or so and I've never had any complaints! I think I got it from the Bothy Band by the way.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frog's Wedding (The Johnstons)
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Jul 13 - 11:16 PM

I agree with 'dogs' and 'clogs'. I reckon it's 'fiddle' with a strange pronunciation.

To my ears, the mystery line in the second stanza is: 'There he did knock and there he did gall'. 'Gall' in the sense of 'annoy'.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Frog's Wedding (from The Johnstons)
From: GUEST,wrigglyamps
Date: 01 Sep 15 - 03:30 PM

Hi all, I'm from Northern Ireland, where the song is supposed to have originated, and I agree with most of the comments and corrections, but we have a funny way of pronouncing words, and it's definitely doves, dogs would be too big, but I agree about fiddle. The chorus or the refrain is as follows, as far as I can say, being from Tyrone and not Meath, so I think the first 2 verses are:

1. A frog went out to woo a mouse.
    Fol lol the rink why air aye oh
A frog went out to woo a mouse.
The froggie went up to the mouse's house.
    Fol lol the rink why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for aye forandy

2. Well, first he came to miss mousie's hall.
    Fol lol the rink why air aye oh
First he came to miss mousie's hall.
There he rapped and there he called,
    Fol lol the rink why air aye oh
    Oh tattie for aye forandy

and the rest is normal - well, more or less.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Frog's Wedding (from The Johnstons)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Sep 20 - 06:15 PM

Needs some editing work