Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting

Subject: froggie went a-courting
From:
Date: 18 Nov 96 - 03:30 PM

need the words for this childrens song

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Link to Froggy Central (click)

Subject: RE: lyrics
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 Nov 96 - 08:39 PM

Hi- This one's TOO easy. Try searching the database for frog* (which will get froggy, froggie and frog.)

Subject: Lyr Add: FROG HE WOULD ... and HERE'S TO CHESHIRE
From:
Date: 19 Nov 96 - 08:46 AM

Here's a couple of other 'froggies'
First is part of an English song that I was supposed to have learned in school next is a modern English froggy that I heard on a Spinners album.

Frog he would a-wooing go
Heigh Ho says Roly
Whether his mother would let him or no
Heigh Ho says Anthony Roly

With a Roly Poly gammon and spinach
Heigh Ho says Anthony Roly

------------------------------------

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.... (insert every couple of verses or so)

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 stoptop look
Ding! Dang! Dong! go the Wedding Bells
The old drake knabbed 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

Subject: RE: lyrics
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Nov 96 - 09:01 PM

Hi Albert- Nice version! thanx much dick greenhaus

Subject: Lyr Add: FROG WENT A-COURTIN' (from Bob Dylan)
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 02:45 PM

Here is the version that Bob Dylan did.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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

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

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.

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 table cloth, Uh-huh.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Subject: RE: froggy went a courtin,, need lyrics, chords
From: DougR
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 02:57 PM

Burl Ives rendition differs in the lyrics somewhat, but they are awfully close. Not as many verses.
The guitar chords are, F, G7, C7, F, F, F7, G7, C7, F

DougR

Subject: RE: lyrics: froggie went a-courting
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 08:26 PM

I am desperate for the song, not just the lyrics but the actual song for Froggie went a-courtin', any good links to sites?

Subject: RE: lyrics: froggie went a-courting
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:10 PM

The midi in the DT doesn't work.
Try these in Max Hunter- real audio. Here is one: Froggy
At the bottom of the page, other versions are listed. Click on them to see and to listen.

Subject: RE: lyrics: froggie went a-courting
From: masato sakurai
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:36 PM

The Wolf Folklore Collection has 15 versions (with audio recordings).

The original "Frog" ("The Marriage of the Frogge and the Mouse") in Melismata (1611) is HERE; Scroll down to "21. It was the Frogge in the well" (pages 37-38).

See also Caldecott's picture book: A frog he would a-wooing go (1883) (without tune).

~Masato

Subject: RE: lyrics: froggie went a-courting
From: alanabit
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 03:17 AM

This is as good as children's songs get isn't it? It has unnatural sex, a disgusting meal and a violent finale. My kids love it!

Subject: RE: lyrics: froggie went a-courting
From: GUEST,Skipper Jack
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 02:14 PM

There's a "Geordie" version.

The Froggie would a-wooing ride
Cuddy alone, cuddy alone
A Froggie would a-wooing ride
Cuddy alone am I.
A Froggie would a-wooing ride.
With sword and pistol by his side
Kick maleerie cowden downs
Cuddy alone am I.

I have written it down as I heard it, the spelling is probably wrong!

Subject: RE: lyrics: froggie went a-courting
From: GUEST,guest: Willy-the-guest
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 02:58 PM

My all-time favorite recorded version is on the CD "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Been" by Spider John Koerner. Especially great is the fiddle back-up.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 03:52 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: Richie
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 09:48 PM

Hi,

I did a painting of Froggie Went A-Courtin'. There are several close-ups below the painting. Here's a link to it:

http://www.richardlofton.org/froggie.html

Richie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: GUEST,tis2firey
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 08:57 AM

Thanks for all the lyrics but; I also need the musical notes. It is for my mom, she loved the song as a child and wants to try to learn to play it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 05:19 PM

Off the top of my head I think this song and its many variants almost rivals Barbara Allen in popularity.
My favourite ending is sung by Jim Eldon, the Brid Fiddler.

Now nature ordered as you were, Ling dum bullydum a Koy me
And we won't have tadpoles covered in fur etc.

Don't know where he got it from.

My favourite version is on an American TV cartoon. Can't remember the name of the crazy character that keeps breaking his fiddle? strings and replaces them by plucking out a cat's whisker who I think is his unappreciative adversary.
Froggie wen' a courtin' an he did ride, Crambone!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: Joe_F
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 08:36 PM

Pete Seeger made that

So that was the end of him and her
(Dingdangdong go the wedding bells!)
Won't be no tadpoles covered in fur
(Dingdangdong go the wedding bells!)

Here's to Cheshire, here's to cheese,
Here's to the pears and the apple trees,
And here's to the lovely strawberries
(Dingdangdong go the wedding bells!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: GUEST, Os
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 11:52 AM

Updated link to "Froggy Central" - over a hunred verses to this song and lots of background info

Froggy Central - Froggy Went a Courtin'


-or- a shortcut URL

Trak to Froggy Central

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 10:45 AM

Thanks, Os!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: scout4song
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 07:13 PM

All I can say from spending some time clicking around on all of these post threads is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU :^) My late mother and grandmother used to sing this song to me when I was a child. They were both from Kentucky and knew all kinds of folk songs. When they both developed Alzheimers Disease, about 10 years apart, singing songs was the one thing that always made them happy, no matter how scary "the long goodbye" of Alzheimers became for them (and me.)

If I had the dough, I'd invest in sending folk singers 'round to Alzheimers wards to sing songs to the folks so they'd have something they could participate in or, at least, to smile at.

I can't wait to record my own version of this.
God Bless All of You who took the time to do these posts!

Lynn Ray Pardo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 Nov 17 - 08:24 AM

Crambone is from a Tom and Jerry cartoon (Quimby), when Uncle Pecos comes to vis it Jerry.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_FyJyurljoM

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Nov 17 - 11:31 AM

Richard Dyer-Bennet resolved the ballad with a happier ending with these two verses:

Then Frog and Mouse lived happily, mm-hmm,
Then Frog and Mouse lived happily, mm-hmm,
Then Frog and Mouse lived happily,
And they were blessed with children three,
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. mm-hmm.

And one did croak and two did squeak, mm-hmm,
And one did croak and two did squeak, mm-hmm,
One did croak and two did squeak,
And they had long tails and webbed feet,
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. mm-hmm.

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 13 Oct 22 - 11:14 AM

A 5-year gap thankyou to wysiwyg. Better late than never.

Uncle Pecos keeps busting a string on his banjo and replacing it with one of Jerry's whiskers. Ouch!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Froggie Went A-Courting
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 13 Oct 22 - 07:35 PM

Jim Eldon found (wrote) a satisfactory final verse for whichever personal version you favour.

The relevant lines are:

So nature ordered as you were
We won't have tadpoles covered in fur

Cheers