The song “Froggy Went a Courtin’” has been performed by Bob Dylan, Burl Ives, Kelly Ehram, Bruce Springsteen, and Almeda Riddle, each giving the folk tune their own unique feel and voice.

Bob Dylan, known for his poetic songs, added a simple and raw touch to the classic. Burl Ives, born in 1909, was a well-known folk singer and actor who helped make traditional songs popular in the 1940s and 50s.

Bruce Springsteen brought energy and storytelling, while Almeda Riddle and Kelly Ehram kept the song’s old folk spirit alive.

Every artist gave the classic tune their own style. Some kept it traditional, while others added a fresh sound. Their versions help it stay loved by people of all ages.

About the Song

Froggy Went a Courtin’ is a traditional folk song that has been passed down for generations. It tells a playful tale of a frog seeking to marry Miss Mouse, often sung with fun rhymes and simple charm. Many artists have recorded their own versions, adding personal touches while keeping the story alive for all ages.

Background and History of the Song

Froggy Went a Courtin’ has a rich and fascinating history that goes back over 400 years. It first appeared in the British Isles during the 1500s, likely shared through oral tradition to entertain both young and old.

As the song traveled to America, it became a part of folk culture, often sung in homes and classrooms. In the 20th century, artists like Burl Ives and Almeda Riddle helped keep it alive with early recordings.

More recently, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Kelly Ehram each brought their unique voice to the song, helping it reach new generations.

Froggy Went a Courtin Lyrics by Bob Dylan

Frog went a-courtin’, and he did ride, Uh-huh,
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 up to Miss Mousey’s door, Uh-huh,
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey’s door, Uh-huh,
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey’s door.
Gave three loud raps and a very big roar, Uh-huh.

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-eye 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.

14. 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 was the old gray cat, Uh-huh,
Next to come was the old gray cat, Uh-huh,
Next to come 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-white 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 anymore, you can sing it yourself, Uh-huh.

Froggy Went a Courtin Lyrics by Burl Ives

Mister Frog went a-courtin, he did ride, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Mister Frog went a-courtin, he did ride, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Mister Frog went a-courtin, he did ride,
A sword and buckler by his side, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.

He bridled and saddled a big fat snail, uh-huh, uh-huh.
He bridled and saddled a big fat snail, uh-huh, uh-huh.
He bridled and saddled a big fat snail,
And rode it ‘tween the horns and tail, uh-huh, uh-huh. uh-huh.
(all remaining verses same lines, rhythm and meter,
so duplication omitted)

He rode up to Miss Mousie’s door,
Where he had often been before.

He called “Miss Mouse, are you within?”
“Yes sir, I’m sitting down to spin.”

He took Miss Mouse upon his knee
And asked “My Dear, will you marry me?”

“I’ll have to ask my Uncle Rat,
To see what he will say to that.”

“Without my Uncle Rat’s consent
I wouldn’t marry the President.”

Frog jumped on his snail and rode away.
He vowed to come another day.

Now Uncle Rat, when he came home
Asked “Who’s been here since I was gone?”

“A very fine frog’s been calling here
And asked for me to be his dear.”

Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his sides
To think his niece would be a bride.

So Uncle Rat rode into town
To buy Miss Mouse a wedding gown.

Say, where will the wedding supper be?
Just down by the river in a hollow tree.

Say, what will the wedding supper be?
One green bean and a black-eyed pea.

What else will the wedding supper be?
A fried mosquito and a roasted flea.

Pray tell us how Miss Mousie dressed?
In a cobweb veil and her Sunday best.

And what did Mister Froggie wear?
Sky-blue pants and a doublet fair.
SEE ALTERNATE ENDING AFTER VERSE 27

First guest to call was the Bumble Bee,
And he played them a fiddle tune upon his knee.

The next to come were the Duck and Drake,
Who ate every crumb of the wedding cake.

“Come Miss Mouse, may we have some beer,
That your uncle and I may have some cheer?”

“Pray, Mister Frog, will ye sing a song
That’s bright and cheery and shan’t last long?”

“Indeed, Miss Mouse,” replied the Frog,
“A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog.”

“Since a cold in the head has laid you up,
I’ll sing you a song that I just made up.”

The all sat down and started to chat,
When in came the kittens and the cat.

The bride, in fright, runs up the wall,
Turns her ankle and down she falls.

They all went sailing ‘cross the lake
And all got swallowed by a big black snake.

And the ones who escaped were one, two, three,
The Frog, the Rat and Miss Mousie.

The Mouse and Frog went off to France,
And that’s the end of their romance.

There’s bread and jam upon the shelf,
If you want some, just help yourself.

ALTERNATE ENDING:
First to come in were two little ants,
Fixing around to have a dance.

Next to come in was a fat sassy lad,
Thinking himself as big as his dad.
Thinks himself a man indeed
Because he chews the tobacco weed.

And next to come in was a big tomcat,
He swallowed the Frog, and the Mouse and the Rat.

Next to come in was a big old snake,
He chased the party into the lake.

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

Froggy Went a Courtin’ Lyrics by Kelly Ehram

Froggie when a-courtin, he did ride, sword and pistol by his side.
Rode right up to Miss Mousie’s door, gave three raps and a very loud roar.
Said he, “Miss Mousie, are you within?”  “Yes, kind sir, I sit and spin.”
He took Miss Mousie on his knee, said “Miss Mousie, will you marry me?”
“Without my Uncle Rat’s consent, I would not marry the President.”
Uncle Rat he laughed and shook his sides, to think his niece would be a bride.
Uncle Rat went a-running down to town, to buy his niece a wedding gown.
Where shall the wedding supper be? Way down yonder in hollow tree.
What shall the wedding supper be? A fried mosquito and a black-eyed pea.
First to come was a flying moth, she laid out the table cloth.
Next to come a Juney bug, carrying a water jug.
Next to come was bumblebee, set his fiddle on his knee.
Next to come was chickadee, danced a jig with bumblebee.
Next to come was Missus Cow, tried to dance but didn’t know how.
Next to come was a big black snake, ate up all the wedding cake.
Little piece of biscuit lying on the shelf, if you want more you can sing it yourself!

Froggy Went a Courtin Lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

Mr. Frog went a-courting, and he did ride, uh-huh
Froggie went a-courting, and he did ride, uh-huh
Froggie went a-courting, and he did ride
A sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

He went down to Miss Mousey’s door, uh-huh
He went down to Miss Mousey’s door, uh-huh
He went down to Miss Mousey’s door
Where he’d often been before, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

He took Miss Mouse upon his knee, uh-huh
Said, “Miss Mouse, will you marry me?” uh-huh
“Without my Uncle Rat’s consent
I wouldn’t marry the president,” uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh
All right

Well, Uncle Rat, he gave his consent, uh-huh
Yeah, Uncle Rat, he gave his consent, uh-huh
Uncle Rat, he gave his consent
And the weasel wrote the publishment, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

Well, now where will the wedding supper be? Uh-huh
Where will the wedding supper be? Uh-huh
Well, where will the wedding supper be?
Way down yonder in a hollow tree, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

Come on, Soozie!

Violin solo

Woo!

Yeah, the first come in was a flying moth, uh-huh
First come in was a flying moth, uh-huh
First come in was a flying moth
Who laid out the tablecloth, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

Well, the next to come in was a junie bug, uh-huh
The next to come in was a junie bug, uh-huh
Next to come in was a junie bug
She brought the whiskey in a water jug, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

All right

Harmonica solo

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
Chased them all into the lake, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

Little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf, uh-huh
Little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf, uh-huh
Little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf
If you want any more, you can sing it yourself, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

Yip, go!

Instrumental outro

The next verses are from older versions of the song , and show the original story ending

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 hopping up over the brook, uh-huh
Mr. Frog went hopping up over the brook, uh-huh
Mr. Frog went hopping up over the brook
A lily-white duck come and swallowed him up, uh-huh

A little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf, uh-huh
A little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf, uh-huh
A little piece of cornbread laying on a shelf
If you want any more, you can sing it yourself, uh-huh

Froggy Went a Courtin Lyrics by Almeda Riddle

Froggy went a-courtin’ and he sure did ride,
Arop strop by Mr. Gamble,
Had a sword and a pistol, too, at his side,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus:

Hemo himo, kemo kimo
Deroddy roddy ray,
Arop strop penny winkle flannel doodle yaller bug.
Arop strop by Mister (Gamble).

Evidently the tape recorder shut off for a few moments after “Mister” and came in at “house” in the following line. The inserted words are drawn from Bess Wolf’s transcription.

(He rode right up to Miss Mousie’s) house,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
Said, “Please won’t you marry me, Miss Mouse?”
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
She said, “Oh, I can’t tell you that,
Unless you’ll ask my Uncle Rat.”
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

Uncle Rat gave his consent,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
The weasel wrote the publishment,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

Where will the wedding be?
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
And away down yonder in a holler tree,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
Who will the waiters be?
A pink-eyed gnat, a black-eyed flea,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

What will their supper be?
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
Well, buttercups and a dewdrop tea,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

Well, the first come in was a little white moth,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
And she spread her wings for a tablecloth,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
The next come in was a big black gnat,
And he sat down on Uncle Rat,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

Then the frog come a-swimming across the lake,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
And he got swallowed by a big black snake,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

Well, I think the crowd is tired of my song,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.
And I’ll take my fiddle and I’ll amble along,
Arop strop by Mister Gamble.

Chorus

Similar Songs Like Froggy Went a Courtin’

If you enjoyed the folk storytelling and charm of Froggy Went a Courtin’, you’ll likely appreciate these songs by the same artists. Each one carries the spirit of traditional music, rooted in history, rich in meaning, and full of personality.

• Blowin’ in the Wind: This song uses simple questions to talk about peace and freedom. Its soft, thoughtful tune makes listeners reflect deeply.
• John Henry : Based on the folk hero, this powerful rendition highlights labor, resilience, and the fight against machines with driving rhythm and soul.
• Go Tell Aunt Rhody: Opening with a simple melody, this folk ballad gently explores loss and memory, sung with warmth and clarity by Burl Ives.
• Barbara Allen: Almeda Riddle sings this haunting love ballad with a clear voice, preserving the old English tradition with quiet beauty and grace.

Similar Artists

Fans of these folk singers will likely enjoy these other artists who share a similar sound and timeless storytelling style.

• Elizabeth Mitchell
  Genre: Folk, Children’s Music
  Top Albums: You Are My Sunshine (2002), Catch the Moon (2003), Little Seed (2012)
• Woody Guthrie
  Genre: Folk, Americana
  Top Albums: Dust Bowl Ballads (1940), This Land Is Your Land (1944), Bound for Glory (1956)
• Joan Baez
  Genre: Folk, Folk Rock
  Top Albums: Joan Baez (1960), Joan Baez, Vol. 2 (1961), Diamonds & Rust (1975)
• Tom Waits
  Genre: Rock, Folk, Blues
  Top Albums: Rain Dogs (1985), Swordfishtrombones (1983), Mule Variations (1999)

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does the Music change Between Old and New Versions?

Older versions use simple guitar or banjo, while newer ones might add more instruments.

How are American and British Versions Different?

British versions can be longer and use old words; American ones are often simpler.

Why is the Song still Popular with Children and Adults?

The fun animal characters and easy tune make it enjoyable for all ages.