Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..

Subject: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Dale Rose
Date: 09 Nov 97 - 01:40 PM

I think the complete title is Twenty Froggies Went To School Down Beside The Rushing Pool I don't know any more than that, as it is a request from someone else. Any help would be appreciated.

(I am still looking for Banjo Sam From Alabam, too!)

Subject: RE: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From:
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 09:17 PM

My Grandmother used to sing this to me back in the late Forties. What I remember is:

Twenty froggies went to school,
Down beside a rushy pool.
Twenty little coats of green, twenty vests so white and clean.

From there on I draw a blank until the last verse, to wit:

Now they sit on other logs,
Teaching othere baby frogs.

Any help would be gratly appreaciated, as I would like to teach it to my granddaughter.

Subject: RE: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 09:57 PM

18 were hit by a passing Peterbilt........very ugly scene.......real carnage...........The other 2 are in critical but stable codition after having their legs amputated at Joe's Crab Shack.

Spaw

Subject: Lyr Add: FROGS AT SCHOOL (George Cooper)
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 10:03 PM

FROGS AT SCHOOL^^
(George Cooper)

Twenty froggies went to school
Down beside a rushy pool;
Twenty little coats of green,
Twenty vests all white and clean.

"We must be on time," said they,
"First we study, then we play;
That is how we keep the rule,
When we froggies go to school."

Master Bullfrog, grave and stern,
Called the classes in their turn;
Taught them how to nobly strive,
Likewise how to leap and dive.

From his seat upon a log,
Showed them how to say, "Ker-chog!"
Also how to dodge a blow
From the sticks which bad boys throw.

Twenty froggies grew up fast;
Bullfrogs they became at last.
Not one dunce was in the lot,
Not one lesson they forgot.

Polished in a high degree,
As each froggie ought to be,
Now they sit on other logs,
Teaching other little frogs.

Subject: RE: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: YOR
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 10:06 PM

Ummm Road Kill! Get out the sauce!

Is this the longest wait for a reply ever?

Roy

Subject: RE: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 10:17 PM

Published in Boys Own Paper, Feb. 1, 1879.

Subject: RE: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 05:28 AM

What ? - is this out of the entire population of France ?

Subject: RE: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From:
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 12:22 AM

What serindipity! I just today got the notion to trace the history of this song that my father used to sing to me. On a long shot, I typed "Twenty froggies went to school" into Google, and Voila! Discussions plus all the words. Thank you, one and all.   Dad went to school in rural Michigan in the 1918.   His mom was born in Michigan as well in 1879. If it was in the paper in 1879, was it already popular or was it new?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 08:13 PM

What fun! This is what Mudcat is all about - providing lyrics and info about songs that someone, someday, will treasure. Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 08:48 PM

Nathan, do you happen to know a tune?
-Joe Offer, intrigued-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 09:33 PM

Although several of those who have posted refer to it as a song, I haven't actually heard a tune to it. Just a rhythmic recitation of the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 11:19 PM

I have the tune.

And will work it out tonight in ABC.

(There MUST be a better way!)

It was my childhood favorite, sung by my mother, when being rocked in the "billy-chair" a rocker with goat-like horns.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: Tune Add: TWENTY FROGGIES WENT TO SCHOOL
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 11:58 PM

You know the ABC notation is pretty slick, very quick....however, I am using a space for a verticle bar and don't know if that is the correct style.

Dinner and two phone calls later here it is:



X:0
T:TWENTY FROGGIES WENT TO SCHOOL
M:C
K:C
G2E2E2E E2D2D4 G2D2D2E2 D2C2C4 G2E2E2E2 E2D2D4 D2(ED)C4 B2A2G4 G2E2E2E2 E2D2D4 G2D2D2C2 E4D4 C4


Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: Tune Add: TWENTY FROGGIES WENT TO SCHOOL
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 09:55 PM

Thanks to MC Help - the mystery of verticle bars was solved. I would appreciate coaching on ABC format - it is REMARKABLY straight-forward, simple and common sense.

Here it is again with bars.

The melody is so simple - was it "borrowed" from somewhere else?


X:0
T:Twenty Froggies Went To School
M:C
K:C
G2E2E2E|E2D2D4|G2D2D2E2|D2C2C4|G2E2E2E2|E2D2D4|D2(ED)C4|B2A2G4|G2E2E2E2|E2D2D4|G2D2D2C2|E4D4|C4

Subject: Lyr Add: TWENTY FROGGIES WENT TO SCHOOL
From:
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 11:35 PM

Twenty froggies went to school
Down beside a rushy pool
Twenty little coats of green
Twenty vests so white and clean

We must be on time said they
First we study then we play
That is how we keep the rule
As we froggies go to school

Master Bullfrog grave and stern
Calls the classes in their turn
Teaches how to read and write
Likewise how to .............

From his perch upon the log
Teaches how to say Ker chog
That is how we keep the rule
As we froggies go to school

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From:
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 12:38 AM

Nathan and anyone,

I'm trying to establish the absolutely authentic wording of "Twenty Froggies". I want to be rock solid. What was your source for the text you posted? Any suggestions?

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 01:48 AM

I just noticed this. Well, it was not quite five years when the answer came, but I expect it must be close to a record. (I just now checked, the Banjo Sam thread was a bit longer between posts, started five days earlier, answered two days later than this one) Maybe Joe or one of the other long timers could tell what the record is. That was post #129 for me, a bit more than six months after my first one.

Now if I could just remember who they were for . . .

I have located the words for Banjo Sam, though. That is one of the advantages of having a job like mine.   While going through some of our earlier recordings for a special project, there it was ~~ Banjo Sam by Grandpa, Ramona and Mark Jones and Larry Lowe, April 19, 1974.

Thanks to everyone who helped on this. I suspect I wanted these for the same friends who wanted Banjo Sam, at least that is who I will send them to.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST,Lucille Dillon
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:00 PM

My sister and I tried to recall the words to this song for years. Our grandmother sang it to us while she play on her accordion. We recalled a "kersplash" at the end of the song but perhaps that was only her way of ending it. I am just sorry I didn't locate the words before sister died. I'll pass it on to our grandchildren. Much appreciation to all who recalled it.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FROGS' SINGING SCHOOL
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 11:48 PM

Here's another song on a similar theme from The Library of Congress American Memory Collection. It's written in 4-part harmony, and sometimes the different voices are singing different things, especially in the final "verse." (Actually, the division into verses, and even lines, is mine and rather arbitrary in some places.)
^^
THE FROGS' SINGING SCHOOL
Words, Mrs. Corbett. Music, Homer N. Bartlett. 1883.

Down in the grass beside the pool
The frogs were holding a singing school:
Old frogs, young frogs, tadpoles and all,
Doing their best at their leader's call,
Leader's call, leader's call.

He waved a grass-blade high in the air
And cried, "Kerchunk!" which means prepare,
Prepare, prepare, prepare.
He waved a grass-blade high in the air
And cried, "Kerchunk!" which means prepare,
Prepare, prepare, prepare, prepare.

But his youngest daughter took up the strain
And cried "Kerchunk!" with might and main.
The others followed her as she sang.
"Kerchunk!" through twilight stillness rang,
"Kerchunk! Kerchunk!"

Until their leader so angry grew,
He snapped his baton quite in two
And croaked, "You're wrong! You're wrong! You're wrong!"
Which his class mistook for another song,
Which his class mistook for another song.

So they practiced one and then the other,
Which made a terrible noise and bother,
Made a terrible noise and bother.

Meanwhile, their leader had hopped away.
"Kerchunk! You're wrong!" I heard him say.
Flop! He went right into the pool,
And that was the end of the singing school.

Kerchunk, kerchunk kerchunk, you're wrong,
You're wrong, you're wrong, kerchunk, you're wrong,
Kerchunk, you're wrong, wrong, you're wrong,
Kerchunk, you're wrong, wrong, you're wrong,
Wrong, you're wrong, kerchunk, you're wrong,
You're wrong, wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong,
You're wrong, wrong, you're wrong, wrong,
You're wrong, wrong, you're wrong, wrong,
You're wrong, kerchunk, you're wrong, wrong,
You're wrong, wrong, you're wrong, wrong,
Wrong, wrong, you're wrong, wrong,
You're wrong, kerchunk, you're wrong, you're wrong,
You're wrong, kerchunk, kerchunk, kerchunk,
Kerchunk, kerchunk, chunk, kerchunk.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST,Sharlene ...from remote part of Oregon
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 03:36 PM

I have been hunting for the words to the Twenty Froggie song for years. Thank you so much for providing it. My grandmother used to play the tune on the piano and sing it to us in her parlor. I have held it in my heart for years. Thanks so much for sharing. Sharlene

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 08 - 05:26 AM

Twenty froggies went to school
Down beside a rushy pool.
Twenty little coats of green,
Twenty vests all white and clean.

"We must be on time," said they,
"First we study, then we play.
Always heed the golden rule,
When we froggies go to school."

Mister Bullfrog, grave and stern,
Called the classes in their turn;
Taught them how to nobly strive,
Likewise, how to leap and dive.

From his seat upon a log,
Showed them how to say "KER-CHOG!"
Also how to dodge a blow
From the rocks that children throw.

Polished now in high degree,
As all froggies ought to be,
Proudly sit upon their logs,
Teaching all the little frogs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Fergie
Date: 25 Feb 08 - 11:41 AM

This is the version I learned as a recitation in school in Dublin in the fifties.

Twenty froggies went to school,
Down beside a rushing pool,
There the teacher master frog,
Sat all day upon a log,
Their they learned a lot from him,
How to dive and how to swim.
Twenty froggies grew up fast,
And became big frogs at last,
Now they sit on other logs,
Teaching other little frogs.

Fergus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 08 - 08:13 PM

I learned it differently. My mom used to sing it to me (late 1960's), and HER mother used to sing it to her (1920's)! So it's been around a long, long time.

20 froggies went to school
down beside a rushing pool
20 little coats of green
20 vests so nice and clean

"We must go to school," said they
first we study, then we play
for you see, this is the rule
when we froggies go to school

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Twenty Froggies Went To School
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 07:35 AM

The oldest printing I can find with Google Book Search is The Nursery: A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers, Volume XVI, Boston: John L. Shorey, 1874, page 130.

It's called FROGS AT SCHOOL, and it is given as a poem, not a song. The words are identical to those posted by Nathan in Texas above, but no author is credited, and it is divided into 3 verses of 8 lines each, instead of 6 verses of 4 lines. Also, the punctuation varies somewhat.

It was reprinted in a lot of school readers that are also viewable with Google Book Search.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,cuttywren
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 07:25 PM

I am not sure weather I am still a member. I'll find out when I try to post this.

This was my mother's favorite song which her mother sang to her (and me.) Until now, I thought I was the only one who knew it.

I know the "rushing pool" version.

---

You're still a member, but you're not logged in. If you need help logging in, contact me by e-mail.
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 10:19 PM

Thanks to everyone who posted these two songs. I've sent them to relatives to share with their 7 year old daughter. They were well received. I tidied up the rhymes a bit.

I'm pretty sure the last part of the frog chorus (kerchunk, kerchunk, you're wrong) is supposed to be in counterpoint.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 08:20 PM

Wow I have been looking for this song since I was 12!! I am 26 now. My grandpa was teacing me it before he died. He tought me a nursery rhyme every time I visited. I always thought it was 10 froggies no wonder I never found it. I havent had any grandparents left since I was 20 and no brothers or sisters. I work two jobs and go to school for nursing (stressed out) this just made my day!!!!!!!!!! My mom actually just bought me three books to try to find it today. Duh google

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,Krishna
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 08:26 AM

@Nathan: Man i cant thank you enough for posting this poem. I read it long back .....back in my fourth grade in India :). I just remembered the first few lines.....but now i have the entire poem thanks to u..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,Gaile
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 11:01 AM

My Mom used to recite this poem to me. She passed away last year and I have only been able to recall the first verse. It has been on my mind for a year now and finally thought to google it. Has made my day. Nobody else I asked had ever heard of it. Thank you Thank you!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies wen
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 06:52 AM

I have the sheet music - its cover is a two ink print green/black of frogs on lilly pads. Ran across it while recently looking for the C-H-I-C-K-E-N sheet music. Need to access it again to check publisher and date. As of this date there does not appear to be a copy in the UCLA-Archive of Popular Music (nor its 12 links) or the LOC.

It will be a good one to scan and contribute.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Also have a stack of Boy's Own noted by GUEST above in Oct 02 ... one has a prophetic message regarding the inability to wage war in Afganistan by the British and then the Russians.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies wen
From: GUEST,calming thuderstorms
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 01:27 PM

My mom used to sing this song to me sitting on the front porch in Nebraska during thunderstorms so I wouldn't be afraid of the storm. Something positive she wanted me to relate to storms that usually were scary to children and ended them up in there parents beds.

Since you all a such a wealth of knowledge re 20 froggies

She also sang this one:

There was an old woman who lived on the moon
She made some rice pudding but cut it too soon

Then some thing about her throwing the pudding and it came to our planet an we called it snow
Then something about her little boy cried when he saw what his mother had done
And it came to our planet and we called it rain
Then some thing about him smiling and that coming to our planet and we called it sunshine was the big finish

Mom's understanding was that her grandmother was responsible for having written both twenty froggies and the rice pudding song/poems.

The moon rice pudding song was very exotic at the time because we had just landed and walked on the moon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 02:41 PM

"Aiken Drum"- The old man who lived on the moon. No rice pudding, however.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies wen
From: autoharper
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 03:33 PM

The words to "Twenty Froggies" were written by the English poet George Cooper (1820-1876). The son of the assistant organist of St. Paul's Church in London, Cooper began a lifelong career as a church organist when he was only 14 years of age. This poem was published in 1879 and shortly thereafter became a children's song in the United States. I have collected versions from as far north as Michigan and as far south as Texas.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 03:38 PM

autoharper- reference for Cooper as author?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies wen
From: autoharper
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 04:10 PM

When I recorded "Twenty Froggies" on a CD a few years ago, I corresponded with librarians in Oxford about the authorship of the song. I learned that it was written by the English poet George Cooper (1820-1876) - and not by the American lyricist George Cooper, who collaborated with the likes of Stephen Foster, and is often given credit for the "Twenty Froggies". The English poet, George Cooper also wrote "October's Party," "Only One," "Twenty Froggies," and "Island".

From the Grove Dictionary of Music about Cooper's life:

Cooper, George 1820-1876, organist, was born on 7 July 1820 at Lambeth. His father was assistant organist at St. Paul's. His early proficiency and facility of execution_he had practised assiduously on an old pedal harpsichord_were remarked by Attwood, the chief organist of the cathedral, who on several occasions made him extemporise at the festivals of the Sons of the Clergy. At the age of eleven he often took the service instead of his father, and in 1834 received the appointment of organist of St. Benet, Paul's Wharf. Two years later he became organist of St. Ann and St. Agnes, and on Attwood's death, in March 1838, he succeeded his father as assistant organist of the cathedral. His father, who had resigned at that time, died in 1843, on which Cooper obtained his post at St. Sepulchre's. In the same year he was appointed to Christ's Hospital. In September 1856 he was appointed organist of the Chapel Royal, vice J. B. Sale, deceased. This appointment, together with those at St. Paul's and St. Sepulchre's, he retained till the time of his death. He published a book of 'Organ Arrangements,' an 'Organist's Assistant,' an 'Introduction to the Organ,' and an 'Organist's Manual' (1851). In 1862 he revised the music for the Rev. W. Windle's 'Church and Home Metrical Psalter and Hymn Book,' contributing several tunes of his own composition. On the death of Dr. Gauntlett in February 1876 he undertook to complete the musical editing of 'Wesley's Hymns.' He had finished the task at the time of his death, 2 Oct. 1876, and the book appeared in 1877.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 03:10 PM

My grandmother, born in the 1880s in Illiopolis, IL, sang this to me often in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Her version was very similar, but the pool was a "laughing," not "rushing" pool. (Nothing in Illiopolis was ever rushed.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,Janet
Date: 06 Aug 10 - 02:56 AM

I am so glad to find out about this song that my grandma Suzzie May Stamps sang to me in the early 1960's in CA. She was born in East Texas in 1885. I did recall most of the words and sang it to my twin daughters who are now going off to college and will sing it to their kids someday. I am glad that we can confirm all the words now. It is wonderful that somebody is preserving this bit of history to be passed along.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: Crowhugger
Date: 06 Aug 10 - 02:26 PM

The tune is very close to the lullaby "Hush Little Baby Don't Say a Word" at least the version that was sung to me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,sylvester
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 11:55 AM

My father taught it to me when I was young, he got it from a small song book published in Indiana (?) c. 1883.

Since there are several other songs I would like to get from this book, if anyone know where I can purchase a copy if you would let me know I would appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: LadyJean
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 11:30 PM

My grandmother, who was born in Cincinnatti in 1883 sang the song to me. She had been a teacher, before she married, and she taught it to the children in her class.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies wen
From: GUEST,liz22
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 10:13 PM

My great great grandpa taught it to me as follows:

Down beside the rushy pool
20 froggies went to school
20 little coats of green
20 vests all white and clean

Mr. Bullfrog on a log
taught them how to say " KERCHOG"
taugh them how to dodge the blows
from the sticks the bad boys throws

20 froggies grew up fast
bullfrogs they became at last
now the sit on other logs
teaching other little frogs.

Its possible that his mother who immigrated from ireland to indiana around the early 1890s heard the poem and mis-recited it, but this is the version my family has sung to every generation of children since then.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,Aussie
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 08:44 AM

I was taught the Froggies rhyme by my mother in the 1940,s in a small village called Gerringong New South Wales, Australia. My mother may have been taught by her grandmother who came from Ireland.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 11 - 02:19 PM

20 froggies went to school
down beside a rushing pool
20 little coats of green
20 vests all white and clean

We must be in time said they
first we study then we play
that is how we keep the rule
when we froggies go to school

Master Bullfrog brave and stern
called his classes in there turn
taught them how to nobly strive
also how to leap and dive

Polished in a high degree
as each froggie ought to be
now they sit on other logs
teaching other little frogs

I found this in a book of poems when I was in middle school 30 some years ago. I memorized it for a school project and have never forgotten it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,Rye
Date: 10 May 11 - 10:39 AM

I have the original book, by Winifred Styles, dated 1940. It is paper, 9 1/2 x 12 1/2, 6 pages. The cover is a colored illustration, the individual pages black and white line drawings. It is not a coloring book, the "stock" is much heavier, but the drawings are that type. If anyone's interested, let me know..


[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 11 - 03:09 PM

its just awesome to see how this poem has been part of people's memory for many yrs. i learnt this at school in fourth or fifth grade and its a poem i never forgot. i was teaching it to my daughter who is just five and she loves to recite it.....hope she teaches her kids too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Feb 12 - 09:19 PM

I just found a mimeographed copy of this poem, with many of the words substituted by pictures. I think this is from first grade! Probably the only mimeographed piece of paper I have. At the bottom, the copyright is 1973 by Milliken Publishing Co. Huh. The things we carry along with us.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 15 - 01:49 PM

That's the version I learned too-must be the Irish version. Been wracking my brains to think of third line, so now I'm delighted to have found it. The line "there the teacher master frog sat all day upon a log" so thanks ferries
Kathy R.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Frogs at School: 'Twenty froggies went..
From: GUEST,John Whyte
Date: 04 Dec 21 - 05:34 PM

The version that I learned late 1960's in Cooloo School(near Moylough Co. Galway, Irl. 20 froggies went to school, Down beside a rushy pool, There the teacher master frog sat all day upon a log, They learned a lot from him, How to dive, and how to swim. 20 froggies grew up fast, and became big frogs at last. So now they sit on other logs, Teaching other little frogs.
That's the version that was in our school book. Have never forgotten it.
BringS back memories