How a folk music classroom inspired a new musical interpretation
Discover a fresh rendition of the traditional courtship tale between a frog and a mouse. This video captures Elizabeth Mitchell and a group of extraordinary musicians bringing a classic folk song to life through a new, collaborative lens.
The recording features a version of 'Froggie Went a Courtin' that evolved from Mitchell's experience teaching a folk music class. After hearing the magic of her students singing a 'king kong kitchie' version, and learning new verses from her friend Natalie, Mitchell decided to re-interpret the song.
To bring this new version to life, she collaborated with musicians Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, and Ruthy Ungar. This performance also features a subtle lyrical shift: Mitchell updated the final verse, changing the couple's status from having 'wealth and children three' to having 'good health and children three.'
Source: Froggie Went a Courtin' by Elizabeth Mitchell from Blue Clouds (Smithsonian Folkways)
