Mr. Frog Went A-Courting

In this short film by animator Evelyn Lambart, a handsome frog courts and wins a mouse for his bride. The colourful animation does full justice to the events that take place during and after the wedding breakfast. Sung by Derek Lamb to lute accompaniment.
This film is inspired by the folk song of the same name, first published in 1548. The film’s ending, which is also taken from the song, might not be suitable for very young audiences. Parental discretion is advised.
For ages 9 - 11
Directed by Evelyn Lambart - 1974

[@Montork]

a part of childhood for most Canadian children.

[@kanepeter9151]

montork I

[@rbtv4115]

I'm not a Canadian but I loved this song when I was little

[@PsychoJosh]

More like childhood trauma. I hate NFB shit so much.-

[@gryffen9608]

A bite late, but it's fair to say this short video was made in good taste. Bad jokes aside, the simplistic animation was a pleasure. Coupled by the merry, earnest musical retelling, this kept the spirit of the old tales and stories alive. I deeply respect that. I'm already looking for more. At the very least, the tales of the old show us where we came from, and help point us a direction of where to go as people.

[@pancudowny]

OOOOOOOH!! Froggie went a courtin' and he did ride, c-c-c-c-crambone...!🤠

[@slashermaster28]

If I remember correctly, this short was probably my introduction to the 'Downer Ending' trope.

[@zacpa7869]

The ending sure took me (and my kids) by surprise.

[@lydiaworkman4050]

Oh my gosh. My daughter was so upset about the ending. She went from interested in the story to emotionally proclaiming "I hate this story!" about the demise of the cute little animals.

[@dr.s.dahiphale5248]

I had a felling that this is not going to end good for the frog 🐸! May they all rest in peace🙏

[@Penitant]

I remember the first time I saw this on TVO when I was about 4. So around '82 or so. Love it.

[@MerkinMuffly]

I love happy endings ...

[@adamwatson2914]

Nature sure can be a cruel mistress. "Hmm-Mmm!"

[@iliketurtles3529]

Adam Watson Saw a pistol by her side. :^,

[@keshiaanders6452]

Well that sword & gun the Frog had were useless.

[@longWriter]

Yeah, really! You'd have thought he could do some amazing damage from the inside with a sword, but no dice!

[@redblack8766]

Frog went a courtin and he did ride, c-c-c-c-crambone...

[@pancudowny]

OOOOOOOH...!!

[@budogden]

This has never left my mind ever since I first saw it as a kid back in the 80s

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

Oh! Who ever wrote an ending like that outta write a few more and then tear them all up.

[@brucedickinson8993]

Holy heavens what happened I was happy singing improving my English here in Brazil

[@j2fly1]

I love this song

[@bernicetam6557]

The ending was so dark.

[@goodyeoman4534]

used to sing this during singalong at Birchwood Junior School 25 years ago. Mrs Tate on piano, all the kids clapping along. But during the bee verse we sang 'buzz buzz' lol

[@manuelagiraldo340]

[@DeanMk1]

I remember watching this and others as "Showtime Shorts" 1981-1982. Cable TV was such a "wonder" back then. =)

[@Lelldorin84]

That snake is a real party pooper.

[@donaldbeetlestone7545]

Lol...this is amazing!bumble bees 2 busy getting drunk...God dam that got dark fast @ th end...there end...lol

[@Neveah.]

I listened to this song in school in like 2nd grade I think and liked the song and I found it again😁😁

[@Uhnawnimuss]

0:45 Weird but funny yell!! 😂

[@lpssparkles8943]

This is how my music teacher sings it: froggy went a courtin and he did ride uh- uh. Froggy went a courtin and he did ride uh-uh. Froggy went a courtin and he did ride with a sword strapped by his side uh-uh oh yeah. He rode up to miss. Mousey's den uh-uh. He rode up to miss.Mousey's den uh-uh. He rode up to miss. Mousey's den and said please miss mousey won't you let me in? Uh-uh oh yeah. He went down on bented knee uh-uh. He went down on bented knee uh-uh. He went down on bented knee and said please miss.mousey won't you marry me? Uh-uh oh yeah. Not with out my uncle rat's consent uh-uh. Not without my uncle rat's consent uh-uh. Not without my uncle rat's consent I wouldn't marry the president! Uh-uh oh yeah. Uncle rat he laughed and shook his sides uh-uh. Uncle rat he laughed and shook his sides uh-uh. Uncle rat he laughed and shook his sides to think his niece would be a bride. Uh-uh oh yeah. Uncle rat he rode into town uh-uh. Uncle rat he rode into town uh-uh. Uncle rat he rode into town to buy his niece a wedding gown uh-uh oh yeah. The wedding was a nice of fair uh-uh. The wedding was a nice of fair uh-uh. The wedding was a nice of fair their families and friends were there. Uh-uh oh yeah. On the was cornbread uh-uh. On the shelf was cornbread uh-uh. On the shelf was cornbread if you don't believe us come down yourself. Now you see why it was so weird for me!?

[@samaraisnt]

thx for sharing the cornbread :))

[@dianarojo-jewell6091]

We had a bit that instead of saying uh huh, we sang something like "Rinktum boby misha cambo" and the uh huh repeats at the end of each verse thing was "rinktum boby misha cambo. Kaebanero down to Cairo. Kaebanero Cairo. Shada ladda ladda boby shada ladda rinktum. Rinktum boby misha cambo" And I think a cat killed everyone in our version. And there was a bit that said "I guess no tadpoles covered in fur"

[@BattleBladeWarrior]

Yea, that version is the one I'm more familiar with.

[@sylviannecoquet4702]

Only the little white moth escaped.

[@jackieo6882]

Holy cow I cannot believe this I was in love w this til that awful snake lol

[@MerkinMuffly]

Frog went a courting he did ride, crambone! *twang* come back here you ornery critter, I don't aim to let one cat whisker stand between me and fame and fortune

[@prislaem3838]

MerkinMuffly one of my favorite Tom & Jerry episodes!

[@sadsackofflour2697]

I admit without shame that this was the first thing I thought of xD

[@markbousfield4010]

I love everything from the National Film Board of Canada. I love this beautiful country.

[@reignofhope]

Well that's a downer, don't remember the snake from my nursery rhyme book.

[@Long-HairedLuigi]

reignofhope That's what I was going to say! This animated short was the first time I ever saw this piece, and I was like, "HUH??? That's it? What's with the snake?"

[@bernicetam2766]

Wait…. so if Uncle Rat went out to buy a wedding gown, they why is Miss Mouse given only a wedding veil?

[@isnook86]

Obviously the gown was too expensive. So she only got the veil. Haha

[@kairi3177]

Wow Mr or Ms Snake....way to ruin the joyous occasion there.

[@theCreature22]

I love this art style. The singer and guitar playing reminds me a little bit of James Taylor.

[@scillavanilla5356]

I loved this short. The ending was epic 😂😂😂😂

[@philipbabb]

So basically, it was a furry convention ending in tragedy. Wouldn't be the first time.

[@RhiannaBarr]

An old English folk song

[@bridgettawinchester3063]

I will never not love this

[@bridgettawinchester3063]

Lol came to comments to comment this and here I am

[@jaschabull2365]

Legend says that snake shed its skin, had red skin underneath, then went on to terrorize a little white duck, little green frog and little black bug.

[@carlcat]

So what are trying to say, "it won't end well if you marry out of your species"? ;-)

[@aaroncarson1770]

My mum used to sing that to me, but she never got to the end, that is not a nice story!

[@dorinenewton1401]

Kind of a sad ending of the song.😕🐍

[@hoedman6668]

Hehehe, the wedding was broke up by a "Big Black Snake" I get it. ;)

[@xeronylloyd21]

C-c-c-cramboooooooooneeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@averysune9780]

3:50 ...Really?

[@zoeymartin3696]

...I don't remember the snake part.....

[@ralphmontes6423]

they may have gotten uncles consent but they didnt quite have natures consent however😅

[@alexanderarnold4810]

"Never Marry!" As a "Politcal" "campaign"?! Nope, this is not what We chose.

[@sallyadams8060]

My mom used to sing on the end this is the way I heard it if you dont like then sing yourself but she sang crembone

[@adamwatson2914]

Frogs are the best!!! You`re channel is so wonderful and although I know I can be a bit cheeky in my comments,I assure you that I have the utmost respect for the channel and these terrific vintage programmes. Thank you so much. : )

[@Russellsagecline]

As a kid I wondered if he was a Mouse-rapist, since a sword and flintlock cap-buster ain't never necessary on a simple date, ya know?

[@RocioHernandez-um7bo]

Mr. Frog went a-courting and he did ride

[@AntonioLopez-lx8xb]

Thank you bro team

[@surfinbird71]

Where's Uncle Pecos?

[@SoJustCool]

im trying to find a short animation of the national film board Canada i saw a long time ago of a little boy running and laughing through autumn leafs and a lot of wind, i forgot what medium was used....colored pencil, collage, water color, crayon? it was a little abstract I wish I could find it. also looking for this animation with a neon stick figure girl with a black background and had a lollipop or magic wand.

[@diane9247]

Welp, that just goes to show ya!

[@lucardenas709]

My heart 😊😍 The end!!!!!😡😭😐😳

[@alienstar2088]

I um.. defiantly don't remember the end of this song XD

[@sugarcane3561]

:() also what happened to Uncle rats head at 1:53

[@IndianBeauty02]

omg we song this when i was a little girl.

[@i.siimon]

O sapinho saiu pra Passear uhum,uhum !!

[@angelinarivera7002]

are you going to have more videos on the summer

[@alexanderarnold4810]

Rats are not the same species, nor that close to mice; they have big differences.

[@meenunair10]

Premalu scène kandit nokkan vannavarundo ennepole

[@Random-kn9ty]

I really hate that damn snake !!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@JayDevito]

King of the Hill

[@bubblegumgun3292]

well that was different and too catchy

[@jaschabull2365]

The moth is Kirby.

[@xbutterfly001x]

This is pretty messed up and I’m not gonna lie

[@JosephJamesScott]

I think I like Burl Ives slinging this, but the animation was nice.

[@YukinaSugar]

1:54 uncle rat

[@obsidiansiriusblackheart]

No scope 360

[@lancedaray3618]

damn nature. yous scary

[@sshiff]

This is the exact one I listened and watched today at school at music class btw I’m a girl on my dads account

[@simonwoods7112]

Anyone else find something a little offputting about the guy's voice lol

[@DawnLynnCat]

Creepy.

[@safiresays3835]

What's the moral of the story?

[@Montork]

shit happens eh?

[@zecmo]

attempting to marry outside your species ends in disaster.

[@jaimeevoth4807]

Life is unpredictable.

[@latenightcashews]

Anon 24 don't swim across the lake on ur wedding day

[@latenightcashews]

Anon 24 and don't trust ur family to buy ur wedding clothes for u coz they'll only get u the headdress

[@ZeRo-yc7zf]

Crambonnnee

[@hollie531]

Anyone else here from Lana

[@veronixawardwell8802]

Upsetting revision! Not helpful.

[@Allcanadian79]

well love sucks

[@obsidiansiriusblackheart]

Tbh, something about this song has racial undertones, like a bunch of race mixing Southerners going up North and being eaten by the black snake. I wonder whst the origins are

[@adibahsaid1041]

FAILURE WEDDING!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😡😠💢🗯️👿, 🐁🐀🐸🐹🕷️🐝🐞🦗

[@adibahsaid1041]

I forgot the snake emoji. 🐍

[@Random-kn9ty]

I really hate that damn snake !!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉