Traditional. You need a capo on some fret I think. Don't know what one though, sorry.
C
Mister Frog went a-courtin, he did ride, uh-huh, uh-huh.
G7
Mister Frog went a-courtin, he did ride, uh-huh, uh-huh.
C
Mister Frog went a-courtin, he did ride,
G7
A sword and buckler by his side, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
C
He bridled and saddled a big fat snail, uh-huh, uh-huh.
G7
He bridled and saddled a big fat snail, uh-huh, uh-huh.
C
He bridled and saddled a big fat snail,
G7
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)
C
He rode up to Miss Mousie's door,
G7
Where he had often been before.
C
He called "Miss Mouse, are you within?"
G7
"Yes sir, I'm sitting down to spin."
C
He took Miss Mouse upon his knee
G7
And asked "My Dear, will you marry me?"
C
"I'll have to ask my Uncle Rat,
G7
To see what he will say to that."
C
"Without my Uncle Rat's consent
G7
I wouldn't marry the President."
C
Frog jumped on his snail and rode away.
G7
He vowed to come another day.
C
Now Uncle Rat, when he came home
G7
Asked "Who's been here since I was gone?"
C
"A very fine frog's been calling here
G7
And asked for me to be his dear."
C
Uncle Rat, he laughed and shook his sides
G7
To think his niece would be a bride.
C
So Uncle Rat rode into town
G7
To buy Miss Mouse a wedding gown.
C
Say, where will the wedding supper be?
G7
Just down by the river in a hollow tree.
C
Say, what will the wedding supper be?
G7
One green bean and a black-eyed pea.
C
What else will the wedding supper be?
G7
A fried mosquito and a roasted flea.
C
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/b/burl_ives/froggie_went_a_courtin_crd.html ]
Pray tell us how Miss Mousie dressed?
G7
In a cobweb veil and her Sunday best.
C
And what did Mister Froggie wear?
G7
Sky-blue pants and a doublet fair.
SEE ALTERNATE ENDING AFTER VERSE 27
C
First guest to call was the Bumble Bee,
G7
And he played them a fiddle tune upon his knee.
C
The next to come were the Duck and Drake,
G7
Who ate every crumb of the wedding cake.
C
"Come Miss Mouse, may we have some beer,
G7
That your uncle and I may have some cheer?"
C
"Pray, Mister Frog, will ye sing a song
G7
That's bright and cheery and shan't last long?"
C
"Indeed, Miss Mouse," replied the Frog,
G7
"A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog."
C
"Since a cold in the head has laid you up,
G7
I'll sing you a song that I just made up."
C
The all sat down and started to chat,
G7
When in came the kittens and the cat.
C
The bride, in fright, runs up the wall,
G7
Turns her ankle and down she falls.
C
They all went sailing 'cross the lake
G7
And all got swallowed by a big black snake.
C
And the ones who escaped were one, two, three,
G7
The Frog, the Rat and Miss Mousie.
C
The Mouse and Frog went off to France,
G7
And that's the end of their romance.
C
There's bread and jam upon the shelf,
G7
If you want some, just help yourself.
ALTERNATE ENDING:
C
First to come in were two little ants,
G7
Fixing around to have a dance.
C
Next to come in was a fat sassy lad,
G7
Thinking himself as big as his dad.
C
Thinks himself a man indeed
G7
Because he chews the tobacco weed.
C
And next to come in was a big tomcat,
G7
He swallowed the Frog, and the Mouse and the Rat.
C
Next to come in was a big old snake,
G7
He chased the party into the lake.
C
So that's the end of one, two, three,
G7
The Rat, the Frog, and Miss Mousie.
Enjoy!
