The Many Versions of Frog Went A Courtin’
I’ve been having a lot of fun researching the history of the popular song Frog Went A Courtin’. There are many versions. It originated in Scotland over 450 years ago. There’s also a well-known British version called A Frog He Would A-wooing Go, which I’ve written about previously.
This song has also traveled around Canada and throughout the US. Along the way, many versions have cropped up – some with different tunes and names. One is called King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O, while another is called Sing Song Kitty (Won’t You Ki-Me-O).
I think it would be interesting to collect and post different versions on Mama Lisa’s World. If you know any versions of King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O or Sing Song Kitty, or any interesting variations of Frog Went A Courtin, please comment below.
Thanks!
Lisa
March 16th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
This version or very close to it appears in the old “Sergeant York” movie about WWI’s most decorated U.S. soldier. In the movie, the mail carrier is riding a mule and singing this song. I distinctly remember the sound of the “rinktum body meachy cambell” between every line. Here’s the link where I found the lyrics.
http://www.canacad.ac.jp:3445/25/174?view=print
Frog Went A-Courtin’
Kentucky Folk Song
1. Frog went a courtin’ and he did ride.
Rinktum body minchy cambo.
Sword and buckler by his side.
Rinktum body minchy cambo.
REFRAIN: Kimaneero down to Cairo, Kimaneero Cairo.
Shaddle-addle-adababa, ladababa linktum.
Rinktum body minchee cambo.
2. He rode right to Miss Mousie’s door,
Found Miss Mousie sweepin’ the floor. REFRAIN
3. He took Miss Mousie on his knee,
And said “Miss Mousie will you marry me?” REFRAIN
4. Without my Uncle Rat’s consent,
I could not marry the president. REFRAIN
5. Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides,
To think his niece would be a bride. REFRAIN
6. Who will make the wedding gown?
Old Miss Rat from Pumpkin Town. REFRAIN
7. Where will the wedding supper be?
Way down yonder in a hollow tree. REFRAIN
8. What will the wedding supper be?
A fried mosquito and a black-eyed pea. REFRAIN
9. First to come was a bumblebee,
He set his fiddle on his knee. REFRAIN
10. Next to come was a doodle bug,
Carrying a water jug. REFRAIN
11. Next to come was a flying moth,
She laid out the table cloth. REFRAIN
12. Next to come was an itty-bitty flea
To dance a jig for the bumblebee. REFRAIN
13. Next to come was a big old cow,
She wanted to dance but she didn’t know how. REFRAIN
14. Next to come was a big black snake;
He ate up all the wedding cake. REFRAIN
15. Last to come was an old gray cat;
She swallowed up the mouse and ate up the rat. REFRAIN
16. Mr. Frog went hopping over the brook;
A duck came along and swallowed him up. REFRAIN
17. Now is the end of him and her;
Guess there won’t be no tadpoles covered with fur! REFRAIN
18. Little piece of cornbread lying on the shelf,
If you want any more you can sing it yourself. REFRAIN
May 25th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Goodness, I’ve been singing this little ditty, from the movie, Sargent York, for years. I don’t know why it just stuck in my head. I never knew what the guy on the mule was saying. The only words I could make out were “…..Miss Mousie won’t you marry me.” and I thought I might have made that up!
So I want to thank you for solving this decade old mystery for me. Now I can happily sing the tune with correct words.
Rinktum body minchy cambo.
- Hallie
May 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
[...] I found interesting because it has the “kemo kimo” sound that we find some versions of Froggie Went a Courtin (which has Ki-Me-O in it)… …here’s another one we use to sing. ‘Member de [...]