Froggie Went A-Courtin'
Pete Seeger (Children's) Lyrics
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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 right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door
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-eyed 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 in was the old gray cat, uh-huh
Next to come in was the old gray cat, uh-huh
Next to come in 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-whit 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 any more, you can sing it yourself, uh-huh.
The song "Frog Went a-Courtin'" is a traditional American folk song dating back to the 16th century. It has a call-and-response structure, where the lead singer sings a verse and the group responds with "Uh-huh." It tells the story of a frog riding to Miss Mouse's house to ask for her hand in marriage, but Miss Mouse refuses until her uncle Rat approves. Uncle Rat buys his niece a wedding gown and the wedding supper is held in a hollow tree, with fried mosquito and black-eyed peas served. Various animals attend the wedding, including a flying moth, a june bug, and a bumblebee, but the celebration comes to a halt when a big black snake eats all the wedding cake.
The song has been covered by various artists, including Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. It has also appeared in popular culture in films, TV shows, and books. The song's meaning is often interpreted as a satire on courtship rituals and folk tales. The song showcases a marriage tradition in the rural south that is full of humor, magic, and absurdity. The theme of animals attending a wedding is a common motif in folk tales from around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
The frog went to court his love interest.
With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh.
He was ready to defend himself and his love.
He rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, uh-huh
The frog went to Miss Mousey's door-step.
Gave three loud raps and a very big roar, uh-huh.
He knocked on the door very loudly.
Said, "Miss Mouse, are you within ?" uh-huh
He asked if Miss Mouse was around.
"Yes, kind sir, I sit and spin," uh-huh.
Miss Mouse replied that she was sitting and spinning.
Took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh
He gave Miss Mouse some attention.
"Miss Mousey, will you marry me ?" uh-huh.
He proposed to Miss Mouse.
"Without my uncle Rat's consent, I wouldn't marry the president, uh-huh".
Miss Mouse wanted her uncle Rat's permission before she gets married.
Uncle rat went runnin' downtown, uh-huh
Uncle Rat went to town quickly.
To buy his niece a wedding gown, uh-huh.
He went to buy Miss Mouse a wedding dress.
Where shall the wedding supper be ? Way down yonder in a hollow tree, uh-huh.
The wedding supper was to be held in a hollow tree.
What should the wedding supper be ? Fried mosquito in a black-eyed pea, uh-huh.
The wedding supper was to be fried mosquito in a black-eyed pea.
First to come in was a flyin' moth, uh-huh.
The first guest to come in was a flying moth.
She laid out the table cloth, uh-huh.
The flying moth laid out the table cloth.
Next to come in was a juney bug, uh-huh.
The second guest to come in was a juney bug.
She brought the water jug, uh-huh.
The juney bug brought a jug of water.
Next to come in was a bumbley bee, uh-huh
The third guest to enter was the bumblebee.
Sat mosquito on his knee, uh-huh.
The mosquito sat on the bumblebee's knee.
Next to come in was a broken black flea, uh-huh
The fourth to come in was a broken black flea.
Danced a jig with the bumbley bee, uh-huh.
The flea danced a jig with the bumblebee.
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, uh-huh.
Mrs. Cow was the fifth guest to arrive.
She tried to dance but she didn't know how, uh-huh.
Mrs. Cow is a terrible dancer.
Next to come in was a little black tick, uh-huh.
The next person to come in was a little black tick.
She ate so much she made us sick, uh-huh.
The little black tick ate so much, which made them all sick.
Next to come in was a big black snake, uh-huh.
A big black snake was the seventh guest to arrive.
Ate up all of the wedding cake, uh-huh.
The snake ate all of the wedding cake.
Next to come in was the old gray cat, uh-huh.
The old gray cat was the eighth guest to arrive.
Swallowed the mouse and ate up the rat, uh-huh.
The old gray cat ate the mouse and the rat.
Mr. Frog went a-hoppin' up over the brook, uh-huh.
Mr. Frog hopped over the brook.
A lily-whit duck come and swallowed him up, uh-huh.
A white duck came and swallowed Mr. Frog.
A little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf, uh-huh.
There was only a small piece of cornbread left.
If you want any more, you can sing it yourself, uh-huh.
You have to make up the song yourself if you want to hear more about it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TEX RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind