This
folk song is one I know well from my childhood - but
with a twist! Instead of the repetition of the first line in the verse three times, the line is used only once, with a string of what appears to be
nonsense in between. Also, after each verse repeats a
chorus of similar nonsense. Below are the first two verses, with the chorus added between. This is the way
my mother sang it to me, and the way her mother sang it to her before that.
I had no idea that the song was any different until I was about ten years old.
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride
Rinctum mona-mitch can o' bull
With a sword and pistol by his side
Rinctum mona-mitch can o' bull
Caimanero, down to Cairo
Caimanero, Cairo
Strada-lada-lada bo lada bo linctum
Rinctum mona-mitch can o' bull!
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey's door.
Rinctum mona-mitch can o' bull
Gave three loud raps and a big ol' roar
Rinctum mona-mitch can o' bull
Caimanero, down to Cairo
Caimanero, Cairo
Strada-lada-lada bo lada bo linctum
Rinctum mona-mitch can o' bull!