Five Green And Speckled Frogs

adapted/arr. Paul Jennings

In our ongoing drive to get kids singing old favorites, we bring you this fun-loving children's song that gained popularity in the late 19th century. Also known as "Five Little Speckled Frogs," it is easy and very repetitive, acting as a simple story that teaches the concept of subtraction. Through five almost identical verses, they subtract one as each frog jumps into the pool. By the end of the last verse, they have subtracted all five frogs.

The tune should be performed with a lighthearted, easygoing and relaxed style. Sing/shout the "Yum! Yum!" and "Glub! Glub!" at the ends of the phrases as indicated. The one at the very end should be especially exuberant.

You can add some simple hand movements like holding up fingers to represent the number of frogs at the beginning of a verse then how many are left at the end of the verse. There are bigger, more complex movements that have often been used. If you're inspired, you can easily find some on the Internet. Enjoy... Glub!

Text is taken from Music K-8 magazine.