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.
We always welcome recordings if you’d like to sing it!
Thanks!
Lisa
This article was posted on Saturday, May 12th, 2007 at 6:06 pm and is filed under A Frog He Would A-wooing Go, American Kids Songs, Australia, British Children's Songs, Canada, Canadian Children's Songs, Children's Songs, Countries & Cultures, England, English, Frog Went A courtin', King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O, Languages, Questions, Sing Song Kitty, There Was a Frog Lived in the Well, United Kingdom, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
December 13th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
I like that tune Max!
December 27th, 2014 at 10:44 pm
My mother used to sing this:
There was a frog lived in the spring
sing song kitchy kitchy kime-o
He was so fat that he couldnot swim
sing son kitchy kitchy kime-o
M’kemeo m’ kimeo m’dario m’ware
me hi
me ho
me in step muskrat, bigger than a big cat
sing song kitchy kitchy kime-o
M’ is pronounced quickly like muh-keeme-o All long vowels in kime=o)
January 7th, 2015 at 4:51 am
My dad always sang
Kemo Kimo Dooro falls
in come sallycicle
some times peniwickle
liptom nitkat sing song kitty cat
the cow me oh
what I say? What I say? I said…
and then it would repeat to the next person.
February 19th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=723CM6XKeEY at 7:09 a version of this song is sung on the kids sing along movie Wee Sing Train
There was a frog lived in a spring, sing song kinakatcha kimeo He could dance and he could sing singsong kinaketcha kimeo. Kemo Kimo dero dime hey ho sublbulb sipso perysinkle sopka penywick nicka kinaketcha kimeo. What you gonna do when the rain don’t fall sing song kinaketcha kimeo, crops grow small instead of tall sing song kinaketcha kimeo
March 1st, 2015 at 3:26 am
Frog went swimming across the lake
Sing sing kitty catch a kie me oh
He got swallowed by a big fat snake
In come Sally Single
Sometimes Pennywinkle
In step nip cat
Hit him with a brick bat
Sing song Kitty catch a kie me oh.
March 7th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
The song “whiskey in A jar” is A Scots Irish ballad and has many of the types of verse endings i.e. dah-day-yo such as “not for my dah-day-yo” great tune that can be found on youtube. 260 years old tune that was done very well by Metalica of all bands. also Hank Williams uses some of the same technique on “down on the bayou” me ,my meshelle and me-o. lots of Scots Irish influence . my grandfather who was of full Scottish heritage play A tune called Hum-jay . they were here in the Ozarks since 1821
March 10th, 2015 at 11:13 am
This is the first three verses of the version my mother taught me while growing up in Texas. She said her grandfather sang it to her as a child. I know there were several more verses. My Momma passed away in 1991 so I can’t ask her what they were. These are the only three her sisters could remember.
Thank you Lisa… and everyone who commented. This was so fun to read and brought back so many sweet memories of my childhood!
“First come in was a little tick
Sing some kitty won’t you come ee oh
He ate so much it made him sick
Sing some kitty won’t you come ee oh
(Chorus)
Caro caro delta way
Hominy hominy rick stick up on my knee
Nick cow penny twinkle
Sing some kitty, won’t you come ee oh
Next come in was doctor fly
Sing some kitty won’t you come ee oh
He swore by George that tick would die
Sing some kitty won’t you come ee oh
(Repeat chorus)
Third come in was an ol’ grey hiss
Sing some kitty won’t you come ee oh
He swore by George that he’d be boss
Sing some kitty won’t you come ee oh
(Repeat chorus)”
April 15th, 2015 at 5:57 am
My grandpa was Born to be in 1898. He used to walk around the house singing something like this: Rinktum (or ringtum), my dinktum, my dah-day-oh. Does anyone know the lyrics to the whole song??
April 15th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
“Rinktum Dinktum” can be found in the chorus of two songs:
Devilish Mary (Chorus):
Rinktum-dinktum-tarry,
Prettiest little girl in all this world,
Her name was Devilish Mary.
The Ballad of the Tea Party (Chorus):
With a rink-tum, dink-tum,
Fa la link-tum…
Could there be a connection to one of those songs? Or was your grandpa singing another version of The Frog Went a courtin’?
April 26th, 2015 at 4:37 am
[quote]…Patti….Froggie Went A Courtin’ & ‘Sing Song Kitty Can’t Ya Kimeo’ are 2 different songs to me. ‘Froggie’ has many verses, & some were published because I can recall reading a book with all the lyrics & illustrations. ‘Sing Song’ was sung by my next older sister & had just what sounds like a chorus & could have been part of the ‘Froggie’ song…I don’t know…but it wasn’t sung that way @ my house….snipped….[/quote]I agree with the above post, 2 different songs. I grew up with “Froggie Went a Courtin'” and I have never heard of “Sing Song Kitty Can’t…….” It’s hard to make them fit into the same tune, for me…..lol
August 30th, 2015 at 7:42 pm
My great grandfather (mothers grandfather) used to sing a song to her when she was younger. He was from the Uniontown Pennsylvania area. I was taught the song when I was young and never forgot it. I have always wanted to know the origins. I will write it below as we have pronounced it.
Hey comma rap tap
Penny winkle flomdoodle
Yella dumma ring dang
Bonny mitcha kango.
When he was passing, she asked what it meant and he told her to go home and go to bed. That led me to believe it was some sort of nursery rhythm. If anyone had anymore information, please feel free to email me. I would love more information.
October 17th, 2015 at 10:27 pm
a frog went a courtin and he did ride mm-hm mm-hm
a frog went a courtin and he did ride mm-hm mm-hm
a frog went a courtin and he did ride, sword and pistol by his side mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm
he rode up to miss mousie’s house mm-hm mm-hm
he rode up to miss mousie’s house mm-hm mm-hm
he rode up to miss mousie’s house, (can’t remember) mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm
he took miss mousie on his knee mm-hm mm-hm
he took miss mousie on his knee mm-hm mm-hm
he took miss mousie on his knee, said miss mousie will you marry me mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm
miss mousie sighed and hung her head mm-hm mm-hm
miss mousie sighed and hung her head mm-hm mm-hm
miss mousie sighed and hung her head, said first I must ask uncle rat mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm
well uncle rat he came to town mm-hm mm-hm
well uncle rat he came to town mm-hm mm-hm
well uncle rat he came to town and brought with him a wedding gown mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm
I know there is more but I’ve been looking all over for this version and cannot find it anywhere.
November 5th, 2015 at 7:44 pm
“I happened to come across your information on the variations of ‘Froggie went a courting’.
I have attached a version that I have sang with youth groups.” -Bruce F.S.
The Frog and The Mouse
Froggie went a courtin and he did ride,
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo
Sword and pistol by his side,
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Chorus:
Ki ma nero down to kiro
Ki ma nero kiro
Straddle laddle laddle bobble
Laddle bobble link tum
Rink tum bawdi mitchi i kombo.
He rode up to Miss Mousie’s door.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo
He gave a loud knock and he gave a loud snore.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Chorus
He took Miss Mousie upon his knee.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
He said, ”Miss Mousie , will you marry me?”
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Chorus
Where oh where will the wedding supper be?
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Way down yonder in a hollow tree.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo
Chorus
What will the wedding supper be?
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
A fried mosquito and a roasted flea.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo
Chorus
First came in was a little seed tick.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Hopping ‘round his walking stick.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Chorus
Next came in was a busy bug.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo
Dancing around on his little brown rug.
Rink tum bawdi mitch i kombo.
Chorus
Etc. etc. etc., many other verses.
December 2nd, 2015 at 10:00 pm
I was brought up in Sunderland in the north east of England. Believe it or not I was taught this at school aged about 12, 50 years ago. I can only remember the refrain (sung in distinct north east accents!)
Ke mo Ki mo dare o wah
With a ki mo ke mo
In come Sally singin’
Some time periwinkle
Ling tum nip cat
King Kong kitty can’t you ki me
Oh my – happy memories
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Nice Steve! Would you like to sing it for us! :)
December 5th, 2015 at 4:13 pm
The fellow who sings “Frog” in SERGEANT YORK is Lee “Lasses” White. Lasses was a very famous minstrel from the early part of the century and his later years became popular in western pictures.
Here is an acetate recording of Lasses singing “Frog” in SERGEANT YORK.
http://www.chelsearialtostudios.com/lasses_frog.mp3
January 3rd, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Hi
I was teaching this song to my son and was looking for the other verses only to find that I stumbled upon a complicated depth of knowledge regarding this song…. so I’ll add my two cents…
When I was a child in the late 1970’s-early 1980’s, we had a recording of Brittish children’s songs. This version was on it, and as well, the same version was taught all throughout my grade school years in music class. I am from Bucks County, Pennsylvania along the Delaware River, just North of Philadelphia (lots of colonial English/Quaker families still populate the area). My version has only the first verse but it goes like this:
Frog went a courtin’ and he did ride
Ring a ling a ling a lario
Sword and pistol by his side
Ring a ling a ling a lario
Ring a ling a ling a lario
Way down yonder by the hollow tree
The owl and the bat and the bumblebee
Ring a ling a ling a lario
January 19th, 2016 at 9:14 pm
When we were younger and would go on long trips in the car (late 60’s and early 70’s) My mother would sing a song to entertain us and keep us quiet, with similiar lyrics to some of the lyrics I see above, but the song in whole with a totally different twist. She was born and raised in Arkansas, in the Ozark Mountains. It went something like this;
What do you reckon made the old sow’s head?
Ladder bone a rinktum kinebo,
Made the best oven that ever baked bread;
Ladder bone a rinktum kinebo,
Chorus:
Kinebo neiro captain Mckerrow,
Bob anishi kinebo,
Semineca Bobineca,
Ladder bone a rinktum,
Ladder bone a rinktum Kinebo.
What do you reckon made the old sow’s tail?
Ladder bone a rinktum kinebo,
Made the best hammer that ever hit a nail,
Ladder bone a rinktum kinebo,
(Repeat Chorus)
What do you reckon made the old sow’s ear?
Ladder bone a rinktum Kinebo,
Made the best bugle you ever did hear,
Ladder bone a rinktum kinebo,
(Repeat Chorus)
and it would go on naming and rhyming the different parts of the old sow’s body…
March 10th, 2016 at 8:32 pm
This is the version my aunt sang to me. We’re from Washington state:
There once was a frog who had such a cold,kitchie kitchie ki mi o. He had such a cold that he could not sing, kitchie kitchie ki mi o. Me hay me hoe me rum straw parmadidel nip sack cat bag hairydridle sing a song kitchie kitchie ki mi o!
April 4th, 2016 at 1:33 am
My grandpa sang a song similar to these. Here are the lyrics (spelling like it sounds)
Bone eye rictum a summa ticka rumma ticka bone eye ricktum a kine bo
Kymenaro simitoke Caro hymenaro kine Bo.
There was a little frog lived in a mill pond bone eye ricktum a kine Bo.
There was a little snake asked for a piece of cake bone eye ricktum a kine Bo.
I have a video of him singing it but can’t find how to load it here.
It sounds like some of the lyrics to frog went a courtin, but not exactly. Has anyone else heard this version?
April 6th, 2016 at 2:15 am
That’s great Rachel! If you’d like to send me the video, I can add it to our YouTube channel and post it here. Cheers! Mama Lisa
April 8th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
Turned it into a drinking game in college (not my most mature years)
kee-mo kimo flare o flea, net rat trap, pop a doodle wildcat, gingerbread bulldog, hit’m with a brick bat, sing song kitty, wont you ki me oooooooh!
April 17th, 2016 at 2:23 am
Our north Louisiana family version is different than many of these. I thought I’d share it.
Old lady mouse won’t you let me in um hum
Old lady mouse won’t you let me in um hummum
Old lady mouse won’t you let me in just to watch you card and spin…
Kamo, Kamo neiro telltoe Karo
Rangstrang fammaditty laddie bum
Mixtum bottameedy kamo
There were other verses but I can’t remember them and all my older family who might have known them have passed on.
I also remember one that went somethin like….
Old lady mouse whatcha doin up there um hum
Old lady mouse whatcha doin up there um hummum
Old lady mouse whatcha doin up there sittin on that bald man’s head pickin out hair…
Kamo….
If you know one like this, please share it.
April 23rd, 2016 at 1:19 am
They played this on the radio in Chico, CA in 1935 or 36, according to my dad. He doesn’t remember who sang it. As best as my 95 yr old dad can remember it was called: Two little frogs fell in a well”:
Two little frogs fell in a well
With a sing song killy with a ki- me -oh
One little frog gave up to drown
With a sing song killy with a ki-me-oh
The other little frog kept swimmin’around:
With a sing song killy with a ki- me-oh
….There were lots of other verses, but he can’t remember them!
He was born and went all the way through high school in Coming,CA. Has anyone heard this version??
April 24th, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Mr. Froggy Went A Courtin’
[Grandpa’s Version]
Mr. Froggy went a courtin’ and he did ride uh-huh
Mr. Froggy went a courtin’ and he did ride
A sword and a pistol by his side uh-huh
He rode up to Miss Mousey’s den uh-huh
He rode up to Miss Mousey’s den
He said, “Miss Mouse are you within?” uh-huh
“Oh, Mr. Frog I sit and spin” un-huh
“Oh, Mr. Frog I sit and spin”
“Open the hatch and, do come in!” un-huh
He took Miss Mousey on his knee uh-huh
He took Miss Mousy on his knee
He said, “Miss Mouse, will you marry me?” uh-huh
“Without my uncle Rat’s consent” uh-huh
“Without my uncle Rat’s consent”
“I would not marry the president” uh-huh
So uncle Rat when he come home uh-huh
Uncle Rat when he come home
Said, “Who been here since I been gone?” uh-huh
“A very fine gentleman has been here” uh-huh
“A very fine gentleman has been here”
“He wishes me to be his dear” uh-huh
So uncle Rat he went to town uh-huh
Uncle rat he went to town
To buy his niece a wedding gown uh-huh
Where will the wedding supper be? uh-huh
Where will the wedding supper be?
A way down yonder in a holler tree uh-huh
What will the wedding supper be? uh-huh
What will the wedding supper be?
Two green beans and a black-eyed pea uh-huh
They all went a sailing on the lake uh-huh
They all went a sailing on the lake
They all got swallered by a big black snake uh-huh
That was the end of one, two, three uh-huh
That was the end of one, two, three
The frog, the rat, and Miss Mousey uh-huh
There’s bread and cheese upon the shelf uh-huh
There’s bread and cheese upon the shelf
If you want any more, you can sing it yourself….
May 30th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
I don’t know how I heard and learned this song, but I learned it as a child in the early 40s, in California. The chorus that I recall — with recalled sounds converted to “words” by me is: Karo, Cairo; in the land of the Pharoah, Pharoah; in the land of the kinee wheenie, rattle bugger, kame would you kaimeo.
June 18th, 2016 at 6:18 am
There was a version of this song on a cd my son had when he was little. I always loved it. My kids are 11 years apart and my little girl now loves it when I sing to her before bed (who knows why, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket!) and whIle I was scouring my memory banks for new songs to sing to her, I remembered this one. I can’t remember all the verses, so I came looking for them…it’s only muddied the waters. LOL But I thought I’d add my version…
The frog went a courtin and he did ride uh huh
The frog went a courtin and he did ride uh huh
the frog went a courtin and he did ride with a sword and a pistol by his side uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
He rode up to Miss Mousie’s den uh huh
He rode up to Miss Mousie’s den uh huh
He rode up to Miss Mousie’s den singin please Miss Mousie won’t you let me in uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
Why yes Sir Frog I’ll let you in uh huh
Why yes Sir Frog I’ll let you in uh huh
Why yes Sir Frog I’ll let you in and (can’t remember) uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
He said Miss Mousie won’t you marry me uh huh
He said Miss Mousie won’t you marry me uh huh
He said Miss Mousie won’t you marry me (can’t remember) uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
Why yes Sir Frog I’ll marry you uh huh
Why yes Sir Frog I’ll marry you uh huh
Why yes Sir Frog I’ll marry you and we’ll have children two by two uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
I’d never heard about Uncle Rat or the wedding feast before. I’m afraid I’d get in trouble if I tried singing any of those verses now, though…four-almost-five-year-olds can get pretty technical, and don’t like it when you switch things up on them. ;-)
One more comment…we went camping recently and found a poor little frog that someone had run over in the road. My daughter got very sad and said “Guess he won’t be going courtin anymore…”
July 10th, 2016 at 11:22 pm
Here is the original song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7NBD40v5sE
August 8th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
This “song” was taught to us kids by our Great Grandfather. We thought it was just nonsense fun. This is the first time I have seen similar words in a “poem” or “song”. Not sure of any of the spellings.
Heyro Jayro Kimbo Kayro Pennie Winnie Rat Trap Mollie wont you Cumbo.
Mahe Mahaw Marumastickle Fumdiddle.
Songbug Pollywoug Limcom Lickcat Kimo Como Carry me Away.
Anybody seen anything close to this?
August 8th, 2016 at 8:15 pm
Here’s another version:
Lyrics:
Oh, there once was a frog who lived by a stream.
Sing a song ‘a paula-micha-kymio.
Oh, he lived there because he couldn’t sing.
Sing a song ‘a paula-micha-kymio.
Hi-me here,
Hi-me there.
Hi-me ho-me,
Rum-stick fummy-diddle,
Soup-fat piggy-wiggle,
Oomp-i oh
October 13th, 2016 at 12:05 am
In our childhood our Dad’s version of “Froggie Went a Courtin'” had the refrain: “Hiro, Haro, Karo, Jaro…High come ‘a rat strap, Periwinkle, Flamadoodle, Yellow Bug…a way down bottom in Jacaimo.” Elaborative improvisation, we understood…but magic.
October 19th, 2016 at 4:36 pm
I am 69 and my Mom used to sing a nonsense verse which went:
Cimebo (rhymes with timeo) Kimbo, Haro, Jaro, hey come a rat trap, funny make a funny bubble, la la bubble, ring jinga, bally missa Cimebo.
March 3rd, 2017 at 6:53 am
Near as I can remember the way my dad would sing it… he was born in Mississippi in the early 30’s…
“There was an old bullfrog, lived by the spring, had such a cold he could not sing. Sing a song killyitchy ki-me-o. Te-mo, ke-mo, hump bunk skunk. Tin-e-i, tin-e-o, tinny rang shang pumpado. Oopaskat noopaskat billy and the boop cat, sing a song killyitchy ki-me-oooo”
August 5th, 2017 at 5:34 pm
My grandfather used to play his guitar and sing this.
There was also a version we sang in elementary school that I don’t remember as well; his were the ones endearing to me still over 50 years later.
Froggy went a courtin’ he did ride
rida bomage rigged em kimo
sword and pistol by his side
rida bomage rigged em kimo
*refrain*
kimo-kao captain Neo
kima kima kao
rigged em rigged em I’m a gonna rig em
rigged em rigged em I’m a gonna rig em
bomanage kimo
First came in was a little seed tick
rida bomage rigged em kimo
ate so much it made him sick
rida bomage rigged em kimo
*refrain*
Next came in was a doctor fly
rida bomage rigged em kimo
swore by joe the tick would die
rida bomage rigged em kimo
*refrain*
more verses that have faded from memory
August 11th, 2017 at 10:56 pm
My dad used to sing this song to me. I don’t know the full version that he used to sing, but, I do know that I saw it other places, like children’s books, when I was a young child (so, about 42-46 years ago).
He would sing :
Froggy went a’courtin’ and he did ride Mm hmm Mm hmm
Froggy went a’courtin’ and he did ride Mm hmm Mm hmm
Froggy went a’courtin’ and he did ride
Sword and pistol by his side Mm hmm Mm hmm
Saw Miss Mouse by the big oak tree Mm hmm Mm hmm
Saw Miss Mouse by the big oak tree Mm hmm Mm hmm
Saw Miss Mouse by the big oak tree
Said, “Miss Mouse, will you marry me?” Mm hmm Mm hmm
Then, I don’t remember what happened (by words used), but, Miss Mouse gave her consent, some bugs and such showed up and they went off to live happily ever after.
September 2nd, 2017 at 4:38 am
So I was poking around and came across this site to my delight am now wondering if what my grandaddy Watts taught me has some relevance to all this?
Kemo-kamo dear ol’ my.
A he and a haw and a hum stick of bunny maker.
Sit back dear ol’ Uncle.
Mully catch a nipper cat.
Kitchey-kitchey-ca-me-o!
September 17th, 2017 at 7:19 am
When I was in choir in Jr High (almost 30 years ago) we sang this version:
Froggie went a’courtin’ and he did ride, uh huh.
Froggie went a’courtin’ and he did ride, uh huh.
Froggie went a’courtin’ and he did ride, a sword and a pistol by his side, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
He rode up to Ms. Mousie’s door, uh huh.
He rode up to Ms. Mousie’s door, uh huh.
He rode up to Ms. Mousie’s door, where he had often been before, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
He took Ms. Mousie on his knee, uh huh.
He took Ms. Mousie on his knee, uh huh.
He took Ms. Mousie on his knee, and said, “Ms. Mousie won’t you marry me?”, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
“Without my Uncle Rat’s consent, nuh uh.
Without my Uncle Rat’s consent, nuh uh.
Without my Uncle Rat’s consent, I would not marry the president, (she would not marry the president!), nuh uh, nuh uh, nuh uh.”
Then Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides, uh huh.
Then Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides, uh huh.
Then Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides, to think his niece would be a bride, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
What will the wedding supper be, mmm mmm?
What will the wedding supper be, mmm mmm?
What will the wedding supper be, fried mosquito and some black-eyed peas, mmm mmm, mmm mmm, mmm mmm?
(Slow tempo) The first to come was mister snail, uh huh.
The first to come was mister snail, uh huh.
The first to come was mister snail, squeezing the bagpipes with his tail, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
The next to show was mister flea, uh huh.
The next to show was mister flea, uh huh.
The next to show was mister flea, playing the banjo on his knee, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
The next to come was mister pig, uh huh.
The next to come was mister pig, uh huh.
The next to come was mister pig, and he taught them all a wedding jig, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
(Stagger tempo) The last to come was mister snake, uh oh.
The last to come was mister snake, uh oh.
The last to come was mister snake, and he ate up all the wedding cake, uh oh, uh oh, uh oh.
I’ve put the songbook on the shelf, uh huh.
I’ve put the songbook on the shelf, uh huh.
I’ve put the songbook on the shelf, if you wanna hear more you can sing it yourself, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
I can’t find this version anywhere else.
October 27th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
My Dad was from the Mountains of southeast Kentucky. He would sing the song like this:
Froggy went a courtin and he did ride,
With sword and buckler by his side,
Come-a-rap-slap pennywinkle perrywinkle bottomboogum yaddieboogum Mister Kimbo.
Rode up to Miss Mousy’s door and rapped so loud he made it roar,
Come-a-rap-slap penyywinkle perrywinkle bottomboogum yaddieboogum Mister Kimbo.
Well, Kimbo Kymbo gave to Pharoe,
Pharoe flew away.
Come-a-rap-slap pennywinkle perrywinkle bottomboogum yaddieboogum Mister Kimbo.
November 29th, 2017 at 10:19 pm
This is the only version I know from the Chad Everett Trio:
Froggy went a courtin, and he did go uh huh, uh huh
Froggy went a courtin, and he did go uh huh, uh huh
Froggy went a courtin and he did go to the Midnight Show
at the Coconut Grove, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
Now Molly Mouse was the Hat Check Girl, uh huh, uh huh
Molly Mouse was the Hat Check Girl, uh huh, uh huh
Molly Mouse was the Hat Check Girl and he thought he’d give
this chick a whirl, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
Sauntered up to Molly Mouse’s side, uh huh, uh huh
Sauntered up to Molly Mouse’s side, uh huh, uh huh
Sauntered up to Molly Mouse’s side and he said Miss Molly
won’t you be my bride uh huh, uh huh
Not without my Uncle Rat’s consent, uh huh
Not without my Uncle Rat’s consent, uh huh
Not without my Uncle Rat’s consent I wouldn’t even marry
the President, uh huh, uh huh uh huh
January 9th, 2018 at 6:56 pm
ok … well i knew TWO versions of this poem! myself and my SO were talking about the songs we sang growing up and thought we would research who was “right” haha, it looks like we both were singing it correctly :D
January 18th, 2018 at 2:52 am
My mother gave me an LP (remember those, haha) when I was in elementary school around 1979-1980. I took it to show & tell and remember there were two women on the album cover, could have been sisters. I have not been able to find the album and don’t remember their names or the name of the album, but remember they sang ‘Mr Frog Went a Courtin’ including other Children’s songs. Gosh, I sure would love to find this album to share with my nieces. Thanks for any help!
January 18th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Hi Kimberly – Do you remember any of the other songs on the LP? That might help with the search. -Mama Lisa
January 19th, 2018 at 10:00 pm
I love all these versions, especially when the area of the country is mentioned. My mom sang one that was passed down through her family. She was a Scots Irish Ferguson on one side and an English Whitworth on the other, so not quite sure which way her version came. I’ll note the first verse and chorus only. (Whole words in chorus are quarter notes, hyphenated are eighth notes):
Froggy went a’courtin and he did ride,
Ring tum bo-dy mit-chi kei mo,
Sword and a pistol by his side,
Ring tum bo-dy mit-chi kei mo,
Kee mo, kei mo, Captain Kayro.
*Bom =in ish-i kei ro,
Sim-in-ic-a, bom-in-ic-a, lab tim-a rick tum keimo,
Lab tim-a rick tum kei mo!
* synchopated line, = is a 16th note
January 20th, 2018 at 2:05 pm
That’s great! Would you (or anyone else here) like to sing it for us? We love these different versions! xo Mama Lisa
March 17th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
So interesting! My mother-law (Central Texas) sang “Froggy went a courtin” similar to some, but different than most:
Froggy went a courtin’ and he did ride
Come-a rigga-jigga bye-gee won’t cha’ kaim-bo
Sword and six-shooter by his side
come-a rigga-jigga bye-gee won’t cha’ kaim-bo
Hay-ro Jay-ro hime-bo kaimbo, went to the mousetrap
penny-wiggy-piggy like-a half-a doodle bug,
coma-a rigga-jigga bye-gee won’t cha’ kaim’bo!
Anytime she heard the “uh-huhh” version she said that was for the “unimaginative”.
Froggy ends up swallowed by a big black snake, by the way.
May 5th, 2018 at 12:27 am
My mom Lily, born in Wichita KS in 1930, sang it as a round (like row, row the boat). Her family was Scots-Irish.
Ki Mo Carry-o Captain Nemo
Nero, Niro, Canary.
Sim, Sam, Stan-a-mickle, Ran-a-mickle
Rick time body Mitch-a Ki Mo!
It’s really cool to hear how families and individuals changed lyrics as they sang this ditty to their children!
May 11th, 2018 at 8:54 pm
My grandmother use to sing me this song way back when. She was from North Carolina. Born in the 1800’s. This is what I remember..
There was a frog lived near a spring,
Oh he could dance and he could sing,
Sing song kitty catcha kymee-oh.
Tee bow, tie bow dare away
Hi oh hum de dumb.
Hum a little dink em, little grand snake em,
poke root, hock root, pennyroyal tea.
Sing song kitty catcha kymee oh.
May 14th, 2018 at 12:39 am
my mom was taught the following when she was 6 years old. she is now 94:
There was little frog that lived in the spring, he had such a cold he could not sing
‘hemo kymo damo wah
hima ho , rum a little suck back, kick your heals together singing polly won’t you kymeo
May 14th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
These versions are so great! Would anyone like to record their version to post on Mama Lisa’s World?
August 9th, 2018 at 9:35 pm
I am from California and had never heard of this song until I came across it while listening to an audio book recording yesterday. The book, “Kitty Alone”, was written by Sabine Baring-Gould and was published in 1894. The song is a recurring theme throughout as the main character’s nickname “Kitty Alone” is taken from the lyrics of the song. Throughout the book there are portions of the song and while I’m not sure if the entire song is there, at least there are a few verses. I’m not an expert in legal matters but since the Librivox recordings are in the public domain you might be able to take the portions that are sung in the recording by Maryanne and put them together to add to your collection.