Froggy Went A-Courtin'

Words & Music:

Traditional English

Yep, English. Then, Yankee. It was first printed in England in 1611 with the title, "A Most Strange Weddinge Of The Froge And The Mouse". It first crossed the pond to New England with the Pilgrims & Puritans in the 1620s & 1630s before migrating south to the Blue Ridge & Appalachian areas where it became a "traditional American" tune.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

C G7

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

C F Fm

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, his sword and pistol by his side.

C G7 C

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

He hopped down to Missy Mousie's door. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

He hopped down to Missy Mousie's door where he'd been many times before.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

He said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" Uh-hum, uh-hum.

He said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" "Just lift the latch and please come in."

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

He put Missy Mousie on his knee. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

He put Missy Mousie on his knee and said "Missy Mousie will you marry me?"

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

"Without my Uncle Rat's consent. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Without my Uncle Rat's consent. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Without my Uncle Rat's consent, I would not marry the president."

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Now, Uncle Rat, when he came home. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Now, Uncle Rat, when he came home said, "Who's been here since I've been gone?"

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

"A very fine gentleman has been here." Uh-hum, uh-hum.

"A very fine gentleman has been here and wishes me to be his dear."

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Then Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Then Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides to think his neice would be a bride.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Uncle Rat went runnin' down to town. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Uncle Rat went runnin' down to town to buy his niece a wedding gown.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Where will the wedding breakfast be? Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Where will the wedding breakfast be? A 'way down yonder in a hollow tree.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

What will the wedding breakfast be? Uh-hum, uh-hum.

What will the wedding breakfast be? Two green beans and a black-eyed pea.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

First to come in was a Flyin' Moth. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

First to come in was a Flyin' Moth. She laid out the tablecloth.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in were Two Little Ants. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in were Two Little Ants fixin' around to have a dance.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Juney Bug. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Juney Bug. She brought, the water jug.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Bumbly Bee. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Bumbly Bee. He sat Miss Qutio on his Knee.

[alt: bouncing a fiddle on his knee]

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Broken Back Flea. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Broken Back Flea. She danced a jig, with the Bumbly Bee.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was Mrs. Cow. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

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

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Little Black Tick. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was a Little Black Tick. She ate so much, it made her sick.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was the Big Black Snake. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was the Big Black Snake. Ate up all of the wedding cake.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was the Old Gray Cat. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was the Old Gray Cat. Swallowed the mouse, and ate up the rat.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was Mister Drake. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Next to come in was Mister Drake who ate up all of the wedding cake.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over his cup. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over his cup. A Lily White Dove came and swallowed him up.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

They all went sailing on the lake. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

They all went sailing on the lake and were swallowed up by a big black snake.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

So, that's the end of one, two, three. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

So, that's the end of one, two, three – the Rat, the Frog and Miss Mousie.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

There's bread and honey on the shelf. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

There's bread and honey on the shelf. If you want any more just sing it yourself.

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride. Uh-hum, uh-hum.

The provenance of the attached easy arrangement is unknown. It is part of a collection that people gave me over the years. Please inform me if correctly attribute it.