Also known as Froggy Went a Courtin’, Frog Went Courtin’ dates back to the 16th century when the ballad was first printed in the Complaynt of Scotland and became popular. This version from 1549 was in Scots and titled “The Frog cam to the Myl dur” although it was translated to English shortly after and published in 1580 as “A Moste Strange Weddinge of the Frogge and the Mouse”.
The rhyme was first set to music in 1611 when it appeared in Melismata by Thomas Ravencroft and it has continued to enjoy popularity over the years, even appearing in Tom and Jerry as well as other film and TV usage.
Over the years, many different versions of the tale have evolved although it always involves a frog courting a mouse. Sometimes there’s a happy ending but there are many alternative lyrics that end with the happy couple being gobbled up!
Frog Went a Courtin’ Lyrics
Froggy went a courtin’ and he did ride, uh-huh
Froggy went a courtin’ and he did ride, uh-huh
Froggy went a courtin’ and he did ride
With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
He rode right up to Miss Mousie’s door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousie’s door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousie’s door
Gave three loud raps, and a very big roar, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh
He said, “Miss Mouse, will you marry me? uh-huh
He said, “Miss Mouse, will you marry me? uh-huh
He said, “Miss Mouse, will you marry me?
And oh so happy we will be, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
“Not without Uncle Rat’s consent”, uh-huh
“Not without Uncle Rat’s consent”, uh-huh
“Not without Uncle Rat’s consent”
“Would I marry the President,” uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Uncle Rat, he went downtown, uh-huh
Uncle Rat, he went downtown, uh-huh
Uncle Rat, he went downtown
To buy his niece a wedding gown, uh-huh, uh-huh, 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 the hollow tree, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
The first to come in was a bumble bee, uh-huh
The first to come in was a bumble bee, uh-huh
The first to come in was a bumble bee
With a big bass fiddle on his knee, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Next to come in was the big black snake, uh-huh
Next to come in was the big black snake, uh-huh
Next to come in was the big black snake
He gobbled down the wedding cake, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Little bit of biscuit on the shelf, uh-huh
Little bit of biscuit on the shelf, uh-huh
Little bit of biscuit on the shelf
If you want anymore you can sing it yourself, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Frog Went a Courtin’ Music Sheet
