Frog Went a-Courtin’
(Arr.), for 2-part treble chorus and piano (2006), 4’
Text: Traditional
Premiered January 25, 2007, New York, NY; Children’s Aid Society Chorus, conducted by Peter Frost.
Program Notes
The two most significant features of my arrangement of the folk song, Frog Went a-Courtin’, are the use of the Lydian mode (raised fourth degree) and the transformation of the “Mm-hmm” refrain into a wider vocal accompaniment. The piece travels from the light gallop of the piano’s left hand through several modulations at the arrivals of the wedding guests, to the “swung” entrance of the tomcat and the ensuing unfortunate results. Seemingly oblivious to the carnage, the piece ambles away gently to its close.
Frog Went a-Courtin’
Traditional
The next to come was a bumblebee, M-hm, M-hm,
The next to come was a bumblebee
Played the fiddle upon his knee, M-hm, M-hm.
The next to come was a broken back flea, M-hm, M-hm,
The next to come was a broken back flea
Danced a jig with the bumblebee, M-hm, M-hm.
The next to come was Missus Cow, M-hm, M-hm,
The next to come was Missus Cow
Tried to dance but didn't know how, M-hm, M-hm.
Now Mister Frog was dressed in green, M-hm, M-hm,
Now Mister Frog was dressed in green
Sweet Miss Mouse looked like a queen, M-hm, M-hm.
Next came in an old tom cat, M-hm, M-hm,
Next came in an old tom cat,
He swallowed Miss Mouse and he ate Uncle Rat, M-hm, M-hm.
Mr. Frog ran right down to the lake, M-hm, M-hm.
Mr. Frog ran right down to the lake,
Where he was swallowed by a big black snake, M-hm, M-hm.
And that’s the end of all of that, M-hm, M-hm
And that’s the end of all of that,
Mr. Frog, Miss Mouse and Uncle Rat, M-hm, M-hm
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride, M-hm, M-hm.
Frog went a-courtin' and he did ride,
With a sword and scabbard by his side, M-hm, M-hm.
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door, M-hm, M-hm,
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door,
And called her name with a very loud roar, M-hm, M-hm.
He took Miss Mouse upon his knee, M-hm, M-hm,
He took Miss Mouse upon his knee
And said "Miss Mouse, will you marry me?" M-hm, M-hm.
"Without my Uncle Rat's consent, M-hm, M-hm,
Without my Uncle Rat's consent
I wouldn't marry the President." M-hm, M-hm.
Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his fat sides, M-hm, M-hm,
Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his fat sides
To think his niece would be a bride, M-hm, M-hm.
Then Uncle Rat he rode downtown, M-hm, M-hm,
Then Uncle Rat he rode downtown
To buy his niece a wedding gown, M-hm, M-hm.
"Oh, where shall the wedding supper be?" M-hm, M-hm,
"Oh where shall the wedding supper be?"
"Way down yonder in the hollow tree." M-hm, M-hm.
The first to come was a little white moth, M-hm, M-hm,
The first to come was a little white moth
She spread out the tablecloth, M-hm, M-hm.