Frog Went A-Courting (2)- Bertha Lassiter
[The melody for this song (which Horace M. Belden believes is the most widely known song in the English language) first appears in Thomas Ravenscroft's "Melismata" (1611). It is an early version of the song ("Froggie Went A-Courtin'") famous in British and American traditional folklore and folksong, of which the earliest appearance was in Wedderburn's "Complaynt of Scotland" (1549) where it is called "The frog cam to the myl dur."
R. Matteson 2014]
FROG WENT A-COURTING (2)
The following version was furnished by Mrs. Bertha Lassiter, who sung it to the tune of Jock o' McKee" [Child 277; same refrains also] found elsewhere in this collection. The first verse is given in full, while the following verses are shortened to the essential two lines of new words. The repetition and refrain were, of course, used with each and every verse.
1. Frog went a-courting, he did ride,
Kitty alone; Kitty alone:
Frog went a-courting, he did ride,
Kitty alone tonight.
Frog went a-courting, he did ride,
Sword and a pistol by his side,
Rock to my karo,
Kitty alone tonight.
2, He rode up to Miss Mousie's door,
There he kicked and there he swore.
3. He got down and he went in
To see Miss Mousie card and spin.
4, He took Miss Mousio on his knee;
Said to Miss Mousie - "Will you marry me?"
5. Miss Mousle said "I'll see about that,
I can't promise till I see Mr. Rat."
6. Mr. Rat went galloping off to town
To buy his niece a wedding gown.
7. Mr. Rat came galloping back from town
With his niece a wedding gown.
8 . Where will the wedding supper be?
Away down yonder in a hollow tree
9. What will your wedding supper be?
Polecat hash and dogwood tea.
10. First, come in was a bumble bee
With a banjo on his knee.
11. Next came in was a hopping flea
To take a little jig with the bumble bee.
12, Next, came in was a little gnat
With a thimble-full of fat.
13, Next came in was an old green fly
Spreading all over the pudding and pie.
14 . Next, came in was an old wasp
Spreading all over the table cloth.