Lyr Req: frog went a courtin (Cheshire)

Subject: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Becky Bernson
Date: 26 Mar 97 - 11:22 PM

Anybody know the version that has the chorus:

Here's to Cheddar, here's to cheese
Here's to the pear & the apple trees
And here's to the lovely strawberries
Ding dang dong go the wedding bells"

There are a number of cool versions out there - I'm interested in collecting them!

Thanks, Becky Bernson

---

Link to Froggy Central (click)

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Mar 97 - 11:23 AM

Hi Becky- We're interested, too. If you get some, post 'em.

Subject: Lyr Add: HERE'S TO CHESHIRE
From: Bert Hansell
Date: 27 Mar 97 - 11:57 AM

Here you go. I got this from a Spinners album.

It's also in Rise Up Singing.


HERE'S TO CHESHIRE
Songwriter: Leslie Haworth

There was an old frog lived in a well
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
A pretty little mouse lived in a mill
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Froggy went a courting and he did ride
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
He said 'Missy Mouse you must decide'
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

CHORUS
Here's to Cheshire, Here's to Cheese
here's to the pears and the apple trees
here's to the lovely strawberries
Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

For I am rich and I am brave
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
What better husband could you have
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

I'll not take your word for that
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
You'll have to satisfy Uncle Rat
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Rat said "I'm very much afraid"
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
"If you don't take Froggy then you'll die an old maid"
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

So the Knot was tied secure and fast
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
She's off her uncle's hands at last
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Open the oysters, spill champagne
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
    Never will there be such a feast again
Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Tune up the fiddle and let's have a square
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
Top couple must be the happy pair
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

As they were going it hot and strong
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
The good gray cat come prowling along
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Into the window and out of the yard
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
Didn't bring no invitation card
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Uncle Rat like a hero stood
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
Puss wet her whiskers in his blood
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Miss Mouse she made a dive for a crack
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
    Puss made a pounce and broke her back
Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Where was the valiant frog this while
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
    Just about broke the four minute mile
Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

Came to a brook and he didn't stop to look
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
The old drake nabbed him in his fluke
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

That was the end of him and of her
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
Won't be no tadpoles covered in fur
    Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells

---

Note from Joe Offer: See note below (click) about the authorship of this song: by Leslie Haworth, a Cheshire strawberry farmer who was a stalwart of the early Spinner's folk club at Sampson & Barlow's Grill in Liverpool in the early sixties.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: belter
Date: 27 Mar 97 - 12:12 PM

I've heard Tex Ritter sing a version of froggy went a corrten', on a collection album on wich he includes various antidotes about the orings of the songs. I think that's were I heard that some one had collected about nine hundred variants. Ofcoarse this could have grown by now. Assuming that actually is were I heard of an existing collection, I might be able to find out who collected it when I find the album wich is fairly well buried at the moment. I think it was some kind of a proffessor so the collection may be in some ones college library.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Bert Hansell
Date: 27 Mar 97 - 02:01 PM

Is that a challenge?

OK, Let's see if we can find all 900.

I remember part of an English Froggy that goes like this... (I was supposed to have learned it in school but this is all that's left in my tiny mind)

Bert.

Frog he would a wooing go.
Hey ho, says Roly.
Whether his mother would let him or no.
Hey ho says Anthony Roly.
With a Roly Poly gammon and spinach,
Hey ho says Anthony Roly.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From:
Date: 27 Mar 97 - 10:40 PM

Thanks, folks! My husband knows the roly poly one. I'll have him type them in. I also heard a way cool one sung the other day at a folk gathering here in Victoria. I'll see if I can get that one & post it!

Ciao for now, Becky

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Murray
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 03:13 AM

Becky: I have a Scottish version of this, which I THINK I gave to Dick G a while ago for the database: called "The Puddy and the Mouse". If it isn't there (and I can't check right now) I'll type it in. There's also one of the old ancestors of the song printed around 1609 or so in England by the young antiquary Ravenscroft. And the 19th century version that was a favourite minstrel song, "Kemo Kimo" [which has lost most of its text however]. I rather think we'll be at this for a LONG time....

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 04:16 PM

The Frog's Wedding is one of the ballads Child left out. Shame on him!

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: dani
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 07:48 PM

I sing the one that goes: Frog went courtin' and he did ride mmhmm, mmhmm.

Frog went courtin' and he did ride mmhmm.

Frog went courtin' and he did ride, sword and a pistol by his side mmhmm, mmhmm.

etc.

Want the rest of the verses?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Cricket
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 11:57 PM

Dani, what's the rest of your verses?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Mar 97 - 10:34 AM

my favorite version is/was sung by Frankie Armstrong similar to some of htese, but with a lilt I have never heard anywhere else...I'm not sure that I could do justice to it by just typing out the details, but I guess I would if someone REALLY wants it...best find the Frankie Armstrong version and listen.....

(wondering how we can share some of these things that almost REQUIRE hearing to appreciate...there are versions of songs that are just not available to everyone...ah, well...)

Subject: Lyr Add: FROG WENT COURTIN' (from Sparky Rucker)
From: dani
Date: 29 Mar 97 - 09:10 PM

RE: Bill D's comment about needing to hear a lot of this stuff... it's so true! I learned this song listening to Sparky Rucker. Now, I've heard other versions, but he gives it a flavor that can't be tasted on paper. Anyway...

FROG WENT COURTIN' (from Sparky Rucker)

Frog went courtin' and he did ride, mm-hm.
Frog went courtin' and he did ride, mm-hm.
Frog went courtin' and he did ride,
Sword and a pistol by his side, mm-hm, mm-hm, mm-hm.

He rode up to Miss Mousie's door, mm-hm.
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door, mm-hm.
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door,
Where he had often been before, mm-hm, mm-hm, mm-hm.

He said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" etc.
"Yes, kind sir. I sit and spin," etc.

He said, "Miss Mousie, will you marry me?" etc.
"Oh, how happy we will be," etc.

"Not without Uncle Rat's consent," etc.
"Could I marry the president," etc.

Uncle Rat laughed and shook his fat sides, etc.
To think his niece could be a bride, etc.

"Where will the wedding supper be," etc.
"Way down yonder in the hollow tree," etc.

"What will the wedding supper be," etc.
"Two string beans and a black-eyed pea," etc.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 21-Jul-02.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From:
Date: 29 Mar 97 - 11:43 PM

Maybe there is one version for every year it has been around. From my source "The earliest recorded date for this old favorite is 1549, when it was mentioned in an English play. The first time the entire ballad was printed, it was known as 'A Moste Strange Wedding of the Frogge and the Mouse.'..." This printing was in Wedderburn's Complaints of Scotland, 1580. I have a version that was probably used as a spinning song with the a-hum refrain, imitating the sound of the wheel. Interesting?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Murray
Date: 30 Mar 97 - 02:36 AM

The earliest mention [and no more] is 1549, in The Complaynt of Scotlande [an anonymous book], as being a favourite song of the time--so it's older than that. Next there's mention of a ballad, "A moste Strange weddinge of the ffrogge and the mowse", which was regustered in 1580-- but as far as I know it has disappeared. The earliest text we have is the one I mentioned, in Ravenscroft's book of 1611, Melismata. He gives the tune too. It starts: It was the Frogge in the well,

Humble-dum, humble-dum,

And the merrie Mouse in the Mill,

tweedle, tweedle twino.

The burden in between the story lines has to be an imitation of the sound of a spinning wheel--Mrs, Mouse is spinning when Froggy arrives. Same goes for the more modern versions-- "ahum" or however you want to spell it, while the "twino" seems to spawn "kimo" as in the minstrel song ["coino" is found in the 18th century], and there's quite a few variations. One reference: The Oxford Dict. of Nursery Rhymes (by the Opies), which gives more references. The American scholar Kittredge has a good treatment of the song in the Journal of American Folklore way back in the 20s, I think.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Mar 97 - 09:36 AM

I forgot to mention--you can find all the versions we have by searching for #306 or [DT #306]

Since CHild didn'y number it, we did.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Golgart
Date: 03 Apr 97 - 01:00 AM

Backpacking for two weeks, in New Mexico, at Philmont, in 1968, with a crew drawn from across the United States one chap sang this version.

(Uh-Huh, Uh-Huh, is the refrain in the standard location)

Froggy went a courtin' and he did go
to the Coconut Grove for the midnight show.

Well, Molly mouse was the hat-check-girl
He though that he'd give Molly mouse a whirl

He sauntered up to Molly's side,
Said, Molly mouse won't you be my bride?

Sorry, Jack you better hit the road,
You ain't a frog you're a horny toad.

Subject: Lyr Add: HERE'S TO CHESHIRE
From: rich r
Date: 03 Apr 97 - 11:11 PM

I managed to learn a different version of the "Ding dang dong" song way up at the top of this thread. I think it might be from John McCutcheon.

DING DANG DONG GO THE WEDDING BELLS

Cheshire the cat lived over the hill.
Ding dang dong go the wedding bells.
The pretty little mouse lived under the mill.
Ding dang dong go the wedding bells.

CHORUS: Here's to Cheshire, here's to cheese,
Here's to the pears and the apple trees,
And here's to the lovely strawberries.
Ding dang dong go the wedding bells.

Froggy went a courting and he did ride....
He said Miss Mouse won't you be my bride....

I'll have to ask my old aunt rat....
Just what she does think of that...?

Now aunt rat laughed till her face got red....
Just to think that a frog and a mouse should wed....

Now who's gonna weave the wedding gown....
Old miss spider from pumpkin town....

So break open the oysters and spill the champagne....
We're never gonna see such a party again...

O while they were going it hot and strong....
The good gray cat come prowling along...

She sprang to the kitchen right out of the yard....
She didn't even have no invitation card...

Now this is the end of him and her....
Guess there won't be no tadpoles covered with fur....

rich r

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 21-Jul-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE WAS A FROG WHO LIVED IN A WELL
From:
Date: 12 Apr 97 - 06:43 PM

Here's the Frankie Armstrong one. It's a jig tempo. If I can figure out how not to have the lines get jumbled together (as they did on the Bonny Portmore thread), I'll type in the melody using degrees of the scale. By the way, how come I can't find these when I type in "frog" or other such key words?

There was a frog who lived in a well,
Hi ho, ransom derry-down,
And a merry mouse in the mill,
Rattle-dy dump o'leary.

This frog he would a-wooin' ride...
With sword and buckles by his side...

And so he put on his very best hat...
And on the way, he met with a rat...

And when they came to Miss Mousy's door...
They gave a loud knock and they gave a loud roar...

Oh Missy Mousy, are you within...
Oh yes, kind sir, I sit and spin...

Oh Missy Mouse, will you draw us some beer...
That we may sit down and have good cheer...

Oh Missy Mouse, will you sing us a song...
One that is pretty but not very long,...

Oh Missy Mouse, will you be wed?...
And will you lose your maidenhead?...

And as these three were a merry-making...
The cat and the kittens came tumblin' in...

The cat, she seized the rat by the crown...
The kittens, they tumbled the little mouse down...

This put the frog in a terrible fright...
So he picked up his hat and he wished them good night...

But as the frog was crossing the brook...
The lily-white duck came and gobbled him up...

And that was the end of one, two, and three...
The Rat and the Frog and the little Mousie...

So nature commands, as you were...
We'll have no tadpoles covered in fur...

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 21-Jul-02.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From:
Date: 29 Apr 97 - 05:04 PM

BTW, I have all of Ravenscroft online at:

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/ravenscroft/

This one is #21 in Melismata (1611).

I have the details about the 1580 ballad registration, but can someone give me a more exact citation for the 1920's article about it?

-- g

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: GUEST,David Highland
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 05:05 PM

This is an old thread but, if you collect verses, go to

http://www.clik.to/frog

I'd appreciate any input you may have that I can add to this website.

david

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: GUEST,mrr
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 10:56 AM

Here's to Cheshire, here's to Cheese is also on Pete Seeger's Childrens Concert at Town Hall, along with Green and Yellow, the best (well, funniest) version of Henry My Son. I also have heard the roly-poly cabbage and spinach one by various Irish groups...
The Irish also have a good version, called (I think) The Bog Down In the Valley-O, of what Ed McCurdy does on HIS chilren's album as The Tree in the Hole. While we're into alternate versions of children's songs...

Subject: Lyr Add: FROG WENT A-COURTIN' (from Bob Dylan)
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 03:18 PM

I always liked the Dylan version.

1. Frog went a-courtin', and he did ride, Uh-huh,
Frog went a-courtin', and he did ride, Uh-huh,
Frog went a-courtin', and he did ride.
With a sword and a pistol by his side, Uh-huh.

2. Well he rode up to Miss Mousey's door, Uh-huh,
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey's door, Uh-huh,
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey's door.
Gave three loud raps and a very big roar, Uh-huh.

3. Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" Uh-huh,
Said he, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" Uh-huh,
Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?"
"Yes, kind sir, I sit and spin," Uh-huh.

4. He took Miss Mousey on his knee, Uh-huh,
Took Miss Mousey on his knee, Uh-huh,
Took Miss Mousey on his knee.
Said, "Miss Mousey, will you marry me?" Uh-huh.

5. "Without my uncle Rat's consent, Uh-huh
"Without my uncle Rat's consent, Uh-huh
"Without my uncle Rat's consent.
I wouldn't marry the president, Uh-huh

6. Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, Uh-huh,
Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, Uh-huh,
Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides,
To think his niece would be a bride, Uh-huh.

7. Uncle Rat went runnin' downtown, Uh-huh,
Uncle Rat went runnin' downtown, Uh-huh,
Uncle Rat went runnin' downtown.
To buy his niece a wedding gown, Uh-huh

8. Where shall the wedding supper be? Uh-huh,
Where shall the wedding supper be? Uh-huh,
Where shall the wedding supper be?
Way down yonder in a hollow tree, Uh-huh

9. What should the wedding supper be? Uh-huh,
What should the wedding supper be? Uh-huh,
What should the wedding supper be?
Fried mosquito in a black-eye pea, Uh-huh.

10. Well, first to come in was a flyin' moth, Uh-huh,
First to come in was a flyin' moth, Uh-huh,
First to come in was a flyin' moth.
She laid out the tablecloth, Uh-huh.

11. Next to come in was a juney bug, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a juney bug, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a juney bug.
She brought the water jug, Uh-huh.

12. Next to come in was a bumbley bee, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee.
Sat mosquito on his knee, Uh-huh.

13. Next to come in was a broken black flea, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a broken black flea, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a broken black flea.
Danced a jig with the bumbley bee, Uh-huh.

14. Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow.
She tried to dance but she didn't know how, Uh-huh.

15. Next to come in was a little black tick, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a little black tick, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a little black tick.
She ate so much she made us sick, Uh-huh.

16. Next to come in was a big black snake, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a big black snake, Uh-huh,
Next to come in was a big black snake.
Ate up all of the wedding cake, Uh-huh.

17. Next to come was the old gray cat, Uh-huh,
Next to come was the old gray cat, Uh-huh,
Next to come was the old gray cat.
Swallowed the mouse and ate up the rat, Uh-huh.

18. Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook, Uh-huh,
Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook, Uh-huh,
Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook.
A lily-white duck come and swallowed him up, Uh-huh.

19. A little piece of cornbread layin' on a shelf, Uh-huh,
A little piece of cornbread layin' on a shelf, Uh-huh,
A little piece of cornbread layin' on a shelf.
If you want anymore, you can sing it yourself, Uh-huh.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 21-Jul-02.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: harpgirl
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 02:55 PM

or the researcher looking for a children's song could use this one. Oh gee, gargoyle was out of the closet in those days! hg

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: maldenny
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 04:23 PM

To go back up this thread a bit...... The "Here's to Cheshire, Here's to Cheese" verses were written, as far as I am aware, by Leslie Haworth, a Cheshire strawberry farmer who was a stalwart of the early Spinner's folk club at Sampson & Barlow's Grill in Liverpool in the early sixties.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: GUEST,Heather Castillo
Date: 05 Oct 03 - 05:49 PM

The Pete Seeger version is available on CD, I bought it several years ago for nostalgia :) bought a copy for my brother too.

Subject: Lyr Add: FROGGY WENT A-COURTIN' (from Rolf Harris)
From: GUEST,katie
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 05:35 PM

The lyrics I'm looking for are by Rolf Harris. The verses I know are:

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, mm-hmmm.
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, mm-hmmm.
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride,
A sword and a pistol by his side, mm-hmmm. (Mm-hmmm.)

He went up to Missy Mouse's door, mm-hmmm.
He went up to Missy Mouse's door, mm-hmmm.
He went up to Missy Mouse's door
Where he had been many times before, mm-hmmm. (Mm-hmmm.)

Missy Mouse, are you within? Mm-hmmm.
Missy Mouse, are you within? Mm-hmmm.
Missy Mouse, are you within?
"Yes, kind sir, I sit and I spin." (Giggle)

He took Missy Mouse upon his knee, mm-hmmm.
He took Missy Mouse upon his knee, mm-hmmm.
He took Missy Mouse upon his knee,
Said, "Missy Mouse, will you marry me?" Uh oh. (Uh oh?)

Without my uncle rat's consent, uh oh,
Without my uncle rat's consent, uh oh,
Without my uncle rat's consent,
I wouldn't marry the president, mm-mmmm. (Mm-mmmm.)

Uncle rat laughed and shook his fat sides, ho ho ho.
Uncle rat laughed and shook his fat sides, ho ho ho.
Uncle rat laughed and shook his fat sides
To think his niece would be a bride, ho ho ho ho ho. (Ho ho ho ho ho.)

What will the wedding breakfast be? Mm-hmmm.
What will the wedding breakfast be? Mm-hmmm.
What will the wedding breakfast be?
Why, two chipped beans and a black-eyed pea, mm-hmmm. (Mm-hmmm.)

Where will the wedding breakfast be? Mm-hmmm.
Where will the wedding breakfast be? Mm-hmmm.
Where will the wedding breakfast be?
Way down yonder in a hollow tree, helloooooo. (Helloooooo.)

The owls did hoot and the birds they sang, mm-hmmm.
The owls did hoot and the birds they sang, mm-hmmm.
The owls did hoot and the birds they sang.
Through the woods the music rang. (Can't remember if its a "mm hmmm" here. Don't think it is.)

Something something something something something
Something something something something something
Something about a bumble bee
Danced a jig with the three-legged flea, mm-hmmm. (Mm-hmmm.)

They all went sailing across the lake, mm-hmmm.
They all went sailing across the lake, mm-hmmm.
They all went sailing across the lake
And got gobbled up by a big black snake, mm yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum. (Key change) yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum-yum.

There's bread and cheese upon the shelf, mm-hmmm.
There's bread and cheese upon the shelf, mm-hmmm.
There's bread and cheese upon the shelf.
If you want anymore you can see to yourself!

If anyone can help me with the flea verse, post it. I will know it when I see it. I'm also unsure whether verses 7 and 8 are the right way round either. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: Flash Company
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 10:57 AM

First to come in was a bumble-bee Hm hm
First to come in was a bumble-bee Hm hm
First to come in was a bumble-bee
He danced a jig with a three legged flea Hm hm

FC

Subject: RE: Lyrics: frog went a courtin
From: GUEST,chazwinda
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 03:44 PM

does anyone know the lyrics to the rolf harris version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: Paul Burke
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 06:33 PM

What political courtship does this song satirise?

Christmas shopping in Scarthin Books*, I picked up on the bye a 50p cast-off, about British royal courts from Edward the Confessor's time to date (that being the end of the 1950s). Odd choice for a (British) republican, but fascinating in the procession of courtiers, mistresses, catamites and chancers who have graced our Royal palaces for over a thousand years.

And one fascinating snippet is that King Charles II was known as "Old Rowley", which was also the name of a particularly lascivious billygoat resident on the Royal demesne. Charles inherited the name because of his comparable behaviour.

So let's get down to the deconstruction:

A frog- this nickname meant a Dutchman before it was applied to the French. There were close connections between the Dutch and English courts, but also (quasi- secretly) between Charles and the French. Who was the frog, and who was his disapproving mother?

A mouse????

Rowley is looking on with amused cynicism.

Yours to play with!

* Probably the best collection of books outside Terry Pratchett.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: beeliner
Date: 25 Dec 09 - 08:16 PM

Interesting that in this entire discussion no one has mentioned Chubby Parker's version from the Harry Smith Anthology or any of the many versions of "Kitty Alone", though I suspect that both are mentioned on related therads.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 05:16 AM

One of MacColl's "The Song Carriers" series included several versions of this song, including one or two verses from Cecilia Costello. It is her version that Frankie Armstrong sings on Lovely on the Water.

It is interesting that one completely new version was made within living memory (maldenny's posting above). I might start a thread about new versions of ballads coming into existence in modern times, and what that suggests about how multiple versions arose in the past.

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 08:50 AM

"I might start a thread about new versions of ballads coming into existence in modern times, and what that suggests about how multiple versions arose in the past."
Interesting idea Richard - please do.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 11 - 01:43 PM

the no. carolina slave song "frog wenta courtin he did go Kima Negro kimo. Strim stram a pominickle lare bone ringtang a kimo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: The Doctor
Date: 26 May 11 - 05:31 AM

Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger made an LP called Matching Songs of the British Isles and America, on which they recorded, as a pair, 'There was a Puggie in a Well' and 'Froggie went a-courtin'. If you're still interested I'll try and find some time to transcribe the words. The sleeve notes say 'It has been suggested that the song served as a satirist's barb during the reign of Queen Bess. The frog was the French Duc d'Alencon, whom the queen was supposed to marry. The animals are said to have referred to the queen's habit of giving her coutiers animal nicknames. The earliest mention of the song appears in Wedderburn's 'Complaynt of Scotland' (1549)'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: Jim McLean
Date: 26 May 11 - 07:05 AM

I have an EP with Duncan Macrae reciting a very scottish version of the Frog and the Mouse. The meaningless chorus goes: "cuddy alang, cuddy alangcock ma cary, cuddy alang, cuddy alang and " plus "sing kinkum keerie con dum down, cuddy alang and I"
I'll try and transcribe the rest but it's quite long. The gist is that Froggie comes to court Miss Mousie who has to obtain her uncle Rat's consent and then the wedding takes place. The Duck attacks the wedding breakfast and mayhem breaks out.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: threelegsoman
Date: 26 May 11 - 11:24 AM

Here is a link to my version on YouTube

I have also covered the alternative version Froggy Went A-courting:

This link takes you to Froggy Went A-courting

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: frog went a courtin
From: GUEST,plnjdmom
Date: 19 Apr 12 - 12:00 AM

Don't know that I remember all the words but from 64+ years ago what I do recall is:
Froggie went a courtin' on a summer's day uh huh uh huh
Froggie went a courtin' on a summer's day,
he met Miss Mousie on the way uh huh uh huh
uh huh uh huh uh huh

He said Miss Mousie, will you marry me uh huh uh huh
He said Miss Mousie will you marry me
We'll live together in the apple tree uh huh uh huh
Uh huh uh huh uh huh

and what do you think they had for supper uh huh uh huh
and what do you think they had for supper
but a fried mosquito and bread and butter uh huh uh huh
uh huh uh huh uh huh