Guest Post-Palooza-Froggy Went A-Courtin'

 

As a part of the Flannel Friday is four celebration, I am guest hosting Jane's post below.

Froggy Went A-Courtin’ – According to Wikipedia, “dates back to 1580, "A Moste Strange Weddinge of the Frogge and the Mouse." There are many texts of the ballad; however the oldest known musical version is in Thomas Ravenscroft’s Melismata in 1611.” John Langstaff won the Caldecott Medal for his book in 1956. Sharon, Lois and Bram filmed their TV version in 1986. And it was seeing this production, when my kids were growing up, which inspired me to create my flannel graph story.

Note: In the book, there are a lot more characters to the story, but these are the ones I use--frog, mouse, rat, snake, bumblebee and cat. I also add a veil for an accessory. There are several versions on YouTube if you need the tune. Little children are very forgiving. They’ll sing with enthusiasm if you do too.

Before we start, I ask the children if they can repeat,” uh-huh,”  “un-ugh,” and “ho-ho.” Once we practice repeating these phrases, then I tell the kids that they’re going to help me sing the song.

(Start with Frog in center of flannel board, leaving room for the cat to leer over at the end)

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh        (uh-huh)
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh        (uh-huh)
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride
With a sword and pistol by his side, uh-huh        (uh-huh, uh-huh)

(Add Miss Mousey, place on frog’s knee)

He took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh        (uh-huh)
He took Miss Mousey on his knee, uh-huh        (uh-huh)
He took Miss Mousey on his knee And said

"Miss Mousey, will you marry me?" uh-huh        (uh-huh, uh-huh)

 

 (Shake finger “No!”)
"Without my uncle Rat's consent, un-ugh (un-ugh)
“Without my uncle Rat's consent, un-ugh (un-ugh)
“Without my uncle Rat's consent
“I wouldn't marry the president!” un-ugh (un-ugh, un-ugh)
 

(Add Rat)
Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides, ho-ho (ho-ho)
Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides, ho-ho (ho-ho)
Uncle Rat laughed and shook his sides, he said:
“Missy Mouse, you’re going to be a bride!” Ho-ho (ho-ho, ho-ho)
(Add veil to Miss Mouse)

  

(Add snake)

The first guest to come was a slithering snake, uh-huh    (uh-huh)

The first guest to come was a slithering snake, uh-huh    (uh-huh)

The first guest to come was a slithering snake,

And he ate all of the wedding cake, uh-huh        (uh-huh, uh-huh)

(Add bumblebee where there’s room)

The next to come was the bumblebee, uh-huh        (uh-huh)

The next to come was the bumblebee, uh-huh        (uh-huh)

Next to come was the bumblebee,

And he had a banjo on his knee, uh-huh            (uh-huh, uh-huh)

(Position cat leering over all other characters)

Last to come was the old tom-cat, uh-huh        (uh-huh)

Last to come was the old tom-cat, uh-huh        (uh-huh)

Last to come was the old tom-cat,

He said, “I’ll put an end to THAT!” uh-huh        (uh-huh, uh-huh)

  

(Sweep all characters off the board except Frog and Mouse)

Frog and Miss Mousey honeymooned in France, uh-huh     (uh-huh)

Frog and Miss Mousey honeymooned in France, uh-huh   (uh-huh)

Frog and Miss Mousey honeymooned in France,

And this is the end of that romance, uh-huh         (uh-huh, uh-huh)

You can find Jane McManus on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/storylady101jm/.
She is a Library Assistant who has been holding story times for 24 tears at the Winton Branch of the Rochester Public Library!  Although she doesn't have her own blog, she is one of the contributors to http://mclskids.pbworks.com/w/page/20658653/Story%20Time, part of the wiki of the Monroe County Library System in Rochester, NY.