WELCOME TO AN ENTERTAINMENT SITE FOR SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS!
Enjoy this curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Louis Wain postcard, 1908
May 13
Frog Jumping Day
Frog in the Middle
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 Hey! hey! hi!
Frog in the middle and there shall lie;
He can’t get out and he shan’t get out —
hey! hey! hi!"
~ Traditional
Got a talented and athletic frog? Does their talent extend to dancing?
Inspired by Mark Twain’s famous tall tale, frog jumping contests have become a long-standing May tradition in California and elsewhere, especially in Calaveras County where the famous Jumping Frog Jubilee still takes place each year in historic “Frogtown,” Angels Camp. Twain’s celebrated 1865 story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County helped turn frog jumping into one of the state’s most delightfully eccentric traditions.
If you — or your frog — can’t make it to a local contest this week, why not try this dance instead?
Also known as "Median Amphibian" for those who need a more sophisticated title, this lively 32 bar jig gets dancers hopping with double triangles and setting in two froggy orientations! “Ribbit! Ribbit!” or dramatic croaking calls while setting are entirely optional. 😜
The dance draws inspiration from the old children’s game Frog in the Middle, which dates back at least to the 13th century. In the traditional version, one child crouches in the center as the “frog” while the others form a ring around them, teasing and nudging as the frog tries to tag someone without standing up. In another variation, the frog attempts to break through a tightly clasped ring of players holding hands.
Should any froggies come a-courtin’ or dancin’ tonight, make them welcome. It’s not easy being green. 🕺 💃 🤪 💚 💚 💚 🐸 🐸 🐸
Frog in the Middle
In 1865, Mark Twain’s first short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” tells of a casual competition between two men betting on whose frog jumps higher, and marks the origin of Frog Jumping Day!
The ability of frogs to jump have always fascinated and surely inspired the game of "Frog in the Middle," a children's game dating back to at least to the 13th century.
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From The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by Alice Bertha Gomme, the rules are:
One child is seated on the ground with his legs under him; the other players form a ring round. They then pull or buffet the centre child or Frog, who tries to catch one of them without rising from the floor. The child who is caught takes the place of the centre child. Another method of playing the game is similar to “Bull in the Park.” The child in the centre tries to break out of the ring, those forming it keeping the Frog in the ring by any means in their power, while still keeping their hands clasped. They sometimes sing or say—
Hey! hey! hi! Frog in the middle and there shall lie;
He can’t get out and he shan’t get out—hey! hey! hi!
They dance round when saying this, all keeping a watch on the Frog, who suddenly makes a rush, and tries to break through the ring.
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The namesake dance below has several froggy elements.
For an audio recording of Mark Twain's famous short story, click the book cover!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
