A Book of Nursery Songs and Rhymes/The Frog who would a-Wooing go
XVII. THE FROG WHO 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 the road he met with a rat.
With a rowley powley, etc.
'Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me,
Heigho, says Rowley,
Kind Mistress Mousey for to see?'
With a rowley powley, etc.
And when they came to Mousey's hall,
Heigho, says Rowley,
They gave a loud knock, and they gave a loud call.
With a rowley powley, etc.
'Pray, Mistress Mouse, are you within?'
Heigho, says Rowley.
'Oh yes, kind sirs, I'm sitting to spin.'
With a rowley powley, etc.
'Pray, Mistress Mouse, will you give us some beer?
Heigho, says Rowley,
For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer.'
With a rowley powley, etc.
'Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song?
Heigho, says Rowley,
But let it be something that's not very long.'
With a rowley powley, etc.
'Indeed, Mistress Mouse,' replied Mr. Frog,
Heigho, says Rowley,
'A cold has made me as hoarse as a dog.'
With a rowley powley, etc.
'Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog,' Mousey said,
Heigho, says Rowley,
'I'll sing you a song that I have just made.'
With a rowley powley, etc.
But while they were all a merry-making,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A cat and her kittens came tumbling in.
With a rowley powley, etc.
The cat she seized the rat by the crown;
Heigho, says Rowley,
The kittens they pulled the little mouse down.
With a rowley powley, etc.
This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright;
Heigho, says Rowley,
He took up his hat, and wished them goodnight.
With a rowley powley, etc.
But as Froggy was crossing over a brook,
Heigho, says Rowley,
A lily-white duck came and gobbled him up,
With a rowley powley, etc.
So there was an end of one, two, and three,
Heigho, says Rowley,
The rat, and the mouse, and the little froggee,
With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach,
Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!