Froggy Went A-Courtin - The Nursery Rhyme Collections

A froggy went a-courtin'
And he did ride, aha,
A froggy went a-courtin'
And he did ride, aha,
A frog went a-courtin'
and he adid ride,
Sword and pistol by his side,
Aha, Aha, Aha.

He rode up to Miss Mousie's door, aha,
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door, aha,
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door,
Where he'd often been before,
Aha, Aha, Aha.

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

He took Miss Mouse upon his knee, aha,
He took Miss Mouse upon his knee, aha,
He took Miss Mouse upon his knee
Said "Miss Mouse, will you marry me?"
Aha, aha aha
.
"Without my Uncle Rat's consent, aha,
Without my Uncle Rat's consent, aha,
Without my Uncle Rat's consent
I wouldn't even marry the President."
Aha, aha, aha.

Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his fat sides, aha,
Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his fat sides, aha,
Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his fat sides
To think his niece would be a bride,
Aha, aha aha .

"Oh, where will the wedding supper be?" Aha,
"Oh, where will the wedding supper be?" Aha,
"Oh where will the wedding supper be?"
"Way down yonder in the hollow tree."
Aha, aha, aha.

A little piece of corn bread laying on the shelf, Aha
A little piece of corn bread laying on the shelf, Aha
A little piece of corn bread laying on the shelf,
If you want any more you can sing it yourself,
Aha, aha, aha, aha, aha, aha aha

Words & Music: Traditional
Arrangement: Ian J Watts

Origin and background

The bizarre story about the frog in love goes back to the 16th century and originates from Scotland. It was first mentioned in Wedderburn's Complaynt of Scotland (1548). In spite of it's Scotish origin it is most popular in the United States. When Froggie rides through the woods in order to ask Miss Mausie for her hand that sounds a bit "wild-west" indeed. In the year 1955 an episode of the famous American cartoon "Tom & Jerry" was based on the song. It was covered by Bruce Springsteen as it was done vbefore by Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. Even classic composer Paul Hindemith did a suite of variations for cello and piano based on that song. But the most affecting version was done in a 1974 Muppet Show performance by Kermit the frog who seems to be kind of predestinated for the piece. According to estimates more than 170 verses of the song exist. If you want to sse them all check out this page: more verses of "A Froggy Went A-Courtin'". But before please check out our Rock-a-Billy Version of the tune.

Next Song