FROG WENT A COURTIN'
Created on 01/02/2001Latest update on 03/11/2023
Artist: Uncle Josh
Author: traditional
Label: Berliner
Year: 1900
Children song, at least as old as Auprès de ma blonde and Greensleeves (see there). Started off as a Jacobean 16th century lampoon song, to discourage a growing romance between the English Queen Elizabeth I and the French Duc d'Anjou. The French are frogs for Brits. First published in London in 1580 as A Moste Strange Weddinge Of The Frogge And The Mouse. Musically related with When Johnny Comes Marching Home. The chorus sounds like the one in Hinky Dinky Parlez-vous/Mademoiselle From Armentières.
Covers:
- 1927:
- 1928:
Chubby Parker [as King Kong Kitchie Ki-Me-O; variantion on the same theme]
- 1928:
- 1928:
Uncle Dave Macon [as Governor Al Smith]
- 1935:
anonymous children [Lomax recording as Froggie Went A Courtin']
- 1936:
- 1944:
- 1950s:
- 1953:
Pete Seeger [on lp American Folksongs For Children as Here's To Cheshire, Here's To Cheese (Froggy)]
- 1957:
- 1959:
- 1960s:
- 1961:
Brothers Four [as Frogg; hit US]
- 1964:
- 1967:
Bob Dylan & The Band [same tune in Apple Suckling Tree from the Basement sessions]
- 1970:
Elvis Presley [informal rehearsal]
- 1973:
Mike Oldfield [B-side of Tubular Bells 45]
- 1988:
- 1991:
- 1992:
Bob Dylan [as a grandfather telling gory stories to his grandchildren]
- 2006:
A perfect lullaby, all things considered: unnatural sex, lots of disgusting food and a bloody grand finale. Also by Mylo Brown, Roy Rogers & The Sons Of The Pioneers and Spider John Koerner.
