Transposed from Scotland to America (there's a wonderful picture of a small yellow frog jumping from one bank entitled 'Scotland' to another bank entitled 'America' accompanying the explanation) the song has changed and grown over the course of many many years. Just the same, it's a delight to think that books like the 1956 Caldecott winning 'Frog Went A-Courtin'' can carry on the song's tradition, regardless of how often it is sung today.In a respectful author's note at the beginning, writer John Langstaff explains the origins of the song. What is to blame for this strange turn of fortune? Interspecies dating fears? A loathsome repugnance to frog songs? I have no idea. The story of the frog dandy and his lovely rodent bride is no longer sung half so much as it once was. The time was when the song Frog Went A-Courtin' (or as I remember it Froggie Went A-Courtin') was known to every man woman and child in the continental United States. One like this that is lost is a sad, sad thing. The little ones always get a kick out of this one and this is a work we need to keep in the public eye. It is meant for children from ages 4 through 8, but to be honest, I have used it in High School English Classes and it has been extremely effective, in particular with young men and women who are a bit better read, and more in tune with music history. I have found that this book can be very effectively either read or sung to a group of children with equal effect. The painting simply pop out at you from the page and are busy enough to keep kids of all ages entranced.

The colors are wonderfully blended and very eye catching. All of the critters, and there are many, are dressed in Victorian Garb or Early American all the way up through the mid 1950s. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and extremely detailed. The art work in this book though is the icing on the cake. I must had heard at least fifteen versions of this song/story over the years and the author has done an excellent job of putting them all together in this one.

The music is the mode used from the Southern Appalachian Mountains, which in my opinion, is the best. The words of the entire version of this song are well written and the last page in the book gives you the music chords to use. If you want anymore, you need sing it your self!' Of course the middle part of the story goes though the entire courtship right of the wedding, wedding feast and marriage of our unlikely couple, including getting permission from Miss Mouse's Uncle Rat. Frog's bridle and saddle are laid on the shelf. The text begins, 'Frog went a-courtin', he did ride, sword and pistol by his side.' The story ends with the lines, 'The Frog and the Mouse they went to France And this is the end of my romance. The story starts with Frog putting on his shinny black boots, buckling on his pistol and sword, mounting his trusty steed and goes off courtin' to the home of the ever beautiful Miss Mousy. The Author has used a compilation of many of the versions of this song or tale, and there are many, and put them together to make this book. I know I heard one of my favorite versions years ago done by Burl Ives.

It has gone thorough many changes since that time and has become a staple with American Folk Singers. As the author of this work has stated in his forward, this song, or story, was first recorded in written form over 400 years ago in Scotland. This is quite a unique book which tells the old, old story of Froggy and his courtship with Miss Mousy. Scroll through to find your new favorite meatball recipe.Frog Went A-Courtin' by John Langstaff and illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky was an all time favorite with my children and by the reaction when I read (or sing) it to the children of today, it still is. And even though serving meatballs over spaghetti is an American invention, there's no better way to enjoy these tasty meatballs than doused in marinara over a bed of pasta. These recipes will mostly follow that structure, sometimes with an added twist. An Italian meatball typically contains ground meat, specifically beef, garlic, eggs, parsley, and sometimes cheese. So all that changes today with these 10 outrageously delicious Italian meatball recipes that you won't be able to resist trying. Our 10 Best Italian Meatball Recipes for All Your Spaghetti Dinner Needs If you aren't making your own meatballs for spaghetti, subs, or soup, you're truly missing out.

Swamp song book frog