A Frog he would a-Wooing go.
This book is a recreation of the original picture book by Randolph Caldecott. This one has a 1988 copyright by New Orchard Editions, Link House, West Street Poole, Dorset BH15 1LL, UK. It was printed in Purtugal by Printer Purtugesa.
I bought this book in England in 1988. It is for U.K. only, not for sale in U.S.A. of Canada.
The picture on the postcard illustrating this rhyme is the first picture in Caldecott's book. Here are some other pictures from the book. The first two are the front and back covers of the book.
Front cover, Back cover, Page 10, Page 15
The text in this book is similar to that in The Funny Froggy Bubble Book, with the same chorus. However, there are some differences. The frog meets the same demise as that in both The Funny Froggy Bubble Book and in the cloth book. This differs from the ending in the Barney Sleepytime cassette. The text from Caldecott's book follows:
A Frog he would a-wooing go
A Frog he would a-wooing go,
Heigho, says Rowley!
Whether his Mother would let him or no.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
So off he set with his opera hat,
Heigho, says Rowley!
And on his way he met with a Rat.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
"Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me,"
Heigho, says Rowley!
:Pretty Miss Mousey for to see?"
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
Now they soon arrived at Mousey's Hall,
Heigho, says Rowley!
And gave a loud knock, and gave a loud call.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
:Pray, Miss Mousey, are you within?"
Heigho, says Rowley!
"Oh, yes, kind Sirs, I'm sitting to spin."
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
"Pray, Miss Mouse, will you give us ginger
beer?"
Heigho, says Rowley!
"For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer."
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
"Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a
song?"
Heigho, says Rowley!
Whether his Mother would let him or no."But let it be
something that's not very long."
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
"Indeed, Miss Mouse," replied Mr. Frog,
Heigho, says Rowley!
"A cold has made me as hoarse as a Hog."
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
"Since you have caught cold," Miss
Mousey said,
Heigho, says Rowley!
"I'll sing you a song that I have just made."
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!"
But while they were all thus a merry-making,
Heigho, says Rowley!
A Cat and her Kittens came tumbling in.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
The Cat she seized the Rat by the crown;
Heigho, says Rowley!
The Kittens they pulled the little Mouse down.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright;
Heigho, says Rowley!
He took up his hat, and he wished them good night.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
But as Froggy was crossing a silvery brook,
Heigho, says Rowley!
A lily-white Duck came and gobbled him up.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
So there was an end of one, two, and three,
Heigho, says Rowley!
The Rat, the Mouse, and the little Frog-gee.
With a rowley-powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!
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Page last updated 01 Feb 2003.
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