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Sing Song Kitty/ Kemo Kimo (Keemo Kimo) See Also: Froggie Went Courtin’
American Minstrel Dance and Song tune; English, Air and Morris Dance Tune (2/4 time). Widely spread both in US and abroad.
ARTIST: From Doc Watson At Gerdes Folk City; Cut 5
CATEGORY: Fiddle and Instrumental Tunes
DATE: First appears as “Froggie” in 1549 (Wedderburn's "Complaynt of Scotland"); Appears as “Kemo Kimo” in 1854.
OTHER NAMES: “Keemo Kimo” “Sing Song Kitty (Won't You Ki-Me-O);” “King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O;” “Kyman-I-Doe;” “Beaver Creek;” “Kitchy, Kitchy Ki Me O;” "Polly Kimo."
RELATED TO: “Froggie Went A Courtin’,” “There Was a Puggie in a Well;” “Frog's Wedding;” “It Was a Frog in the Well;” “Birmingham;” "I Ask That Gal" (tune); "The Bear in the Hill" (plot); “Kitty Alone” (text)
NOTES ON “FROGGIE WENT A COURTIN’ ”: "A Frog He Would A-Wooing Go." G Major. Standard. One part. The air for this song (which Horace M. Belden believes is the most widely known song in the English language) first appears in Thomas Ravenscroft's "Melismata" (1611). It is an early version of the song ("Froggie Went A-Courtin'") famous in British and American traditional folklore and folksong, of which the earliest appearence was in Wedderburn's "Complaynt of Scotland" (1549) where it is called "The frog cam to the myl dur." Another early version is found in a broadside text of 1580, called "A moste Strange weddinge of the ffrogge and the mowse" (Rollins). See also the extensive note on this tune and text in Cazden's (et al, 1982) Catskill Mountain (New York) collected "Missie Mouse." Chappell (Popular Music of the Olden Times), Vol. 1, 1859; pg. 142.
The notes on this song in Cazden et al (pp. 524-532) constitute probably the best succinct summary available on variants of this piece. Spaeth has a note that the original version of this was supposed to refer to the Duke of Anjou's wooing of Elizabeth I of England. If the second known version (1611, in Melismata, reprinted in Chappell) were the oldest, this might be possible -- there are seeming political references to "Gib, our cat" and "Dick, our Drake." But the Wedderburn text, which at least anticipates the song, predates the reign of Queen Elizabeth by nine years, and Queen Mary of by four. If it refers to any queen at all, it would have to be Mary Stuart. Those who want a version of this piece which does not involve inter-species hanky-panky are advised to try J. A. Scott's version (or other American texts); in this, both creatures are mice. Of course, it does end with the cat interfering with the festivities. The earliest text we have is the one I mentioned, in Ravenscroft's book of 1611, Melismata. He gives the tune too. It starts:
It was the Frogge in the well,
Humble-dum, humble-dum,
And the merrie Mouse in the Mill,
tweedle, tweedle twino.
The burden in between the story lines has to be an imitation of the sound of a spinning wheel—Mrs. Mouse is spinning when Froggy arrives. Same goes for the more modern versions-- "ahum" or however you want to spell it, while the "twino" seems to spawn "kimo" as in the minstrel song ["coino" is found in the 18th century], and there's quite a few variations.
The exchange of lyrics with “Froggie” and many other folk songs and fiddle tunes in the US have caused some confusion. Fiddle tunes often borrow short rhyming lines that make little sense as a narrative. Presumably some of the nonsense rhymes could have traveled from songs like “Froggy” and “Martin Said to His Man,” to “Kemo Kimo” and “Kitty Alone then to other animal songs including “Buckeye Jim.” There is an interesting connection with the “weave and spin” in “Buck-Eye Jim” and the “spin” in the Froggy songs. “I Ask that Gal” which uses the “Froggie” melody can be found in Randolph-Legman I, pp. 133-134.
SOURCES FOR KEMO KIMO: Anthology of American Folk Music, Oak, Sof (1973), p 32 (King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O); Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1940/1965), p106b (Kemo Kimo); Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1940/1965), p418 (Kemo Kimo) Randolph 282, "There Was an Old Frog;" Eddy 45, "The Opossum;" Warner 68, "The Bull Frog;" Gilbert, p. 42, "Polly Won't You Try Me O" Randolph in "Ozark Folksongs" has a text called "Uncle Rat's Courtship." Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 106 (additional verses on page 418). Raven (English Country Dance Tunes), 1984; pg. 154. Scott (English Song Book), 1926; pg. 82; Anthology of American Folk Music, Oak, Sof (1973), p 32 (King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O); Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1940/1965), p106b (Kemo Kimo); Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1940/1965), p418 (Kemo Kimo) Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1940/1965), p450 (Polly Kimo)
RECORDING INFO KEMO KIMO: Chubby Parker, "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O" (Columbia 15296D, 1928; on AAFM1, CrowTold01); Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. At Home with the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem & their Familiies, Tradition TR 2060, LP (197?), cut# 14 (Frog in the Well); Gibson, Bob. Folk Songs of Ohio, Stinson SLP 76, LP (195?), cut#B.01 (Down in Sky Town); Hobdy, Ann. Sweet Bunch of Daisies, Colonial Press, Bk (1991), p 48 (Kitchy, Kitchy Ki Me O); McCurdy, Ed. Children's Songs, Tradition TLP 1027, LP (1958), cut#B.08 (Keemo Kimo); Older, Lawrence. Adirondack Songs, Ballads and Fiddle Tunes, Folk Legacy FSA-015, Cas (1964), cut#B.01 (Frog in the Spring); Parker, Chubby. Anthology of American Folk Music, Smithsonian/Folkways SFW 40090, CD( (1997), cut# 8 (King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O); Stracke, Win. Folk Songs for the Young, Golden Records, LP (1962), cut#A.05 (Kemo Kimo); Watson, Doc. Home Again, Vanguard VSD 79239, LP (1967), cut# 8; West, Harry and Jeanie. Smokey Mountain Ballads, Counterpoint/Esoteric CPT-545, LP (197?), cut# 1; West, Harry and Jeanie. Harry and Jeanie West, Archive of Folk Music FS-208, LP, cut# 1; Lawrence Older, "Frog in the Spring" (on LOlder01); Prairie Ramblers, "Beaver Creek" (c. 1935; on CrowTold02); Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. At Home with the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem & their Familiies, Tradition TR 2060, LP (197?), cut# 14 (Frog in the Well); Gibson, Bob. Folk Songs of Ohio, Stinson SLP 76, LP (195?), cut#B.01 (Down in Sky Town); Hobdy, Ann. Sweet Bunch of Daisies, Colonial Press, Bk (1991), p 48 (Kitchy, Kitchy Ki Me O); McCurdy, Ed. Children's Songs, Tradition TLP 1027, LP (1958), cut#B.08 (Keemo Kimo); Older, Lawrence. Adirondack Songs, Ballads and Fiddle Tunes, Folk Legacy FSA-015, Cas (1964), cut#B.01 (Frog in the Spring); Parker, Chubby. Anthology of American Folk Music, Smithsonian/Folkways SFW 40090, CD( (1997), cut# 8 (King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O); Stracke, Win. Folk Songs for the Young, Golden Records, LP (1962), cut#A.05 (Kemo Kimo); Watson, Doc. Home Again, Vanguard VSD 79239, LP (1967), cut# 8; West, Harry and Jeanie. Smokey Mountain Ballads, Counterpoint/Esoteric CPT-545, LP (197?), cut# 1; West, Harry and Jeanie. Harry and Jeanie West, Archive of Folk Music FS-208, LP, cut# 1; Beaver Creek by the Prairie Ramblers on a Patsy Montana album;
NOTES ON KEMO KIMO/SING SONG KITTY: Spaeth reports that one H. Wood published a song called "Keemo Kimo" in 1854 (George Christy and Wood's Melodies (New Song Book) copyright 1854). "The refrain is not originally Negro, but is an old English nonsense rhyme- Prof. Kittredge in JAFL, xxxv, 396." The “Kemo” refrain probably was based on the "Frog in the Spring/Frog in the Well” songs which is the “Puddy in the Well” offshoot of Froggie:
There lived a puddy in a well,
Cuddy alone, Cuddy alone
There lived a puddy in a well
Cuddy alone and I
There lived a puddy in a well
And a mousie in a mill
Kickmaleerie, cowden down
Cuddy alone and I.
The “Cuddy alone and I” is also where “Kitty Alone” songs originated:
There was a frog lived in a well,
Kitty alone, Kitty alone;
There was a frog lived in a well;
Kitty alone and I!
There was a frog lived in a well,
And a merry mouse in a mill.
Cock me cary, Kitty alone,
Kitty alone and I.
“Froggie” comes in two distinct forms. One has the un-huh or hum refrain, while the other has a nonsense lyric refrain that often includes the word "kemo" or other nonsense syllables:
A froggie went a courting and he did ride
King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o
with a sword and a pistol by his side
King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o.
Chorus: Ki-mo-ke-mo ki-mo-ke,
Way down yonder in a hollow tree
An owl and a bat and a bumble bee
King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o.
"Kemo (properly “Keemo”) Kimo," because of its popularity and wide oral circulation in the mid to late 1800’s in the minstrel era, created a mystifying array of syllables sung to the Chorus (See a few below). The song was also popular in England in the 1800’s by the minstrel vocalist Sam Cowell. The English Morris Dance Tune (2/4 time) version came from the United States minstrels (who got it from the English settlers!)
The notes on the sheet music for Kitty Kimo from American Memory (Same lyrics as Version 3 but should be lyrics for Version 2): Composed and arranged by Charles White, and sung nightly, by Old Dan Emmit, with thunders of Applause. If you want to spend a pleasant evening and enjoy a hearty laugh, go to White's Melodeon, 53 Bowery.
There is a Keemo Kimo Schottisch composed by James Bellak, 1854, and a version arranged for the cotillion in the on-line Levy Collection (also the 1854 original sheet music). The Keemo Kimo Schottisch was dedicated to Wyman the Wizard, with a large picture of him.
CHORUS LYRICS OF KEMO KIMO: The "Kemo” refrain may have had its origin (or at least was popularized from the 1854 version) on the minstrel circuit by the comic singer Sam Cowell. The nonsense refrain varies considerably from version to version but probably originates from the “Frog in the Well.” "The refrain is not originally Negro, but is an old English nonsense rhyme- Prof. Kittredge in JAFL, xxxv, 396."
If you think you’re good at singing lyrics try singing these seven choruses to “Kemo Kimo” in a row!
Teemy tim-o in the land of neo Pharoah said a rat trap peeny winkle timey doodle rattle buggy rat trap peenie winkle tie me oh
Kemo kimo, dare awa Ma high, ma ho Rump sump sack a nickels Poop-dag, nip-cat Polly won't you kimeo.
Karo, Karo, give to Flayro, Flaro Flaro, Flaaaa-rooooo, Aaaaaany wink-ee flemm-ee doodle yellow bug to my rat-trap a bottom-itchy Kai-m-bo.
Hello naro he's my caro, Hello caro narrow, Ring ting bottom ditty boat around Ring ting bottom and a kymo.
Kero kiro gilt and garo Kero kiro karo Rap jack pennywhinkle flammydoodle yellow buckle Rain down bonny mish ki-me-oh.
Tim a rang tang bottom tim a kimo come a nedro, Keep my caro rum a tum bum stumpy tum dido bodey, Round tim a rang tang bottom a my kimo.
Karo kiro daro boys M'haim M'home M'hime Boomasicle lopasicle along came knick knack sing song kitty wont you kie me oh.
"Anthology of American Folk Music" has the song called "King Kong Kitchie" and the refrain is:
Ki-mo, kemo, ki-mo, kee
Way down yonder in a holler tree
An owl and a bat and a bumblebee
King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o
The "King kong kitchie kitchie ki-me-o" line is also interpolated within the verses where the "uh huh" is in the other forms. Randolph lists some other nonsense lines including:
Turn-a-row tum a-tiddy natty day
and
Poom-a-latchey poom-a-latchey la.
Sara Grey “Waterbug”, with a refrain that says, "Hi, ho, linkum laddie." Ed McCurdy sings: Kemo Kimo where o where, mahee, mahigh, and in come Sally singing sing song pennywhistle ding tongue nippy cat sing song kitty kitcha kime-e-o.
MORE NOTES: The main differences between the related “Froggy” and the “Kemo/Sing Song Kitty/Kitty Alone” songs, which I separate, is the “Kemo” songs usually do not have a plot (not a ballad), are comic rhyming verses about animals, and have a different set of rhyming nonsense syllables in the chorus. Several of these texts, such as Lawrence Older's "Frog in the Spring," have lyrics reminiscent of "Frog Went A-Courting." Kemo relates to: "The Carrion Crow/A Kangaroo Sat on an Oak" "Raccoon" (floating lyrics); "Frog Went A-Courting" (floating lyrics, theme)
The second line of many “Kemo Kimo” versions has “That’s where the white folks plant the tow,” originally: “Dat's whar de white folks plant the tow.” “Tow" is material used to make fiber, such as hemp or flax (nowadays synthetics). The word tow in the sense of fiber goes back to the 14th century. "The original sense may have been textile fibre generally. Newspapers used the word in price quotations for raw materials used in making cloth throughout the 19th century. An article in 1822 spoke of "tow-cloth" being made for family use. This was cheap, poor quality cloth. From Mudcat
“Kemo Kimo” became popular again and was an early country music hit for Chubby Parker in 1928. Here’s the liner notes from "Anthology of American Folk Music:"
Sharp has eleven versions of "The Frog Went A-Courtin'" but none with this fantastic mind-boggling chorus. Chubby Parker, a Kentuckian, and a star of the centrally important radio show "WLS National Barn Dance, recorded this fine children's song, "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O," with the five string banjo for Columbia in 1928.
Kentuckian Chubby Parker was one of the members of the influential radio program, The National Barn Dance broadcast over station WLS. WLS was sponsored by the Sears department store and stood for "world's largest store." The program started in 1924 with Parker joining it a year later. Parker played five-string banjo and sang folk songs on the "Barn Dance." His song "Nickety Nackety Now Now Now" was his most popular song on the program and now is the song most associated with Parker (JEMF Quarterly VII, pg. 3. Autumn, 1971).
Here are the lyrics to Kemo Kimo from Doc Watson:
(guitar inst.)
Way down yonder and not far off,
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
A jaybird died with the whoppin’ cough,
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
CHORUS 1: Hemo hymo, beetle-bug jingo,
Meehee, myho, pretty penny winko,
Ram tom a-doodle-snake a-rank tank a rattle bug,
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
Way down yonder on Beaver Creek,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
The gals all grow to be six feet,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
CHORUS 1: Hemo hymo, beetle-bug jingo,
Meehee, myho, pretty penny winko,
Ram tom a-doodle-snake a-rank tank a rattle bug,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
(guitar inst.)
My cow won’t give the milk in the summer,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
So we’ve got to take it from ‘er,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
CHORUS 2: Hemo hymo, beetle-bug jingo,
Meehee, myho, pretty penny winko,
Rip tap a-pitty pat, a blue-eyed pussycat,
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
(guitar inst.)
Mama's in the garden siftin’ sand,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
Sally’s in love with the hog-eye man,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
CHORUS 2: Hemo hymo, beetle-bug jingo,
Meehee, myho, pretty penny winko,
Rip tap a-pitty pat, a blue-eyed pussycat,
Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o.
Cabbage in the garden, bees in the gum.
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
Sally won’t you come and smooch me some
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
CHORUS 2: Hemo hymo, beetle-bug jingo,
Meehee, myho, pretty penny winko,
Rip tap a-pitty pat, a blue-eyed pussycat,
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
(faster) CHORUS 2: Hemo hymo, beetle-bug jingo,
Meehee, myho, pretty penny winko,
Rip tap a-pitty pat, a blue-eyed pussycat,
Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o.
Note: Doc sings two different choruses and sings,
“Sing song kitty can’t ya kime-e-o”
and sometimes “Sing song kitty can ya kime-e-o” instead.
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