Annotation:Saute Crapaud

X:0 T: No Score C: The Traditional Tune Archive M: K: x

SAUTE, CRAPAUD (Jump, Toad Frog). Cajun, Waltz. USA, Louisiana. G Major (Greenblatt): A Major (Francois). Standard or GDgd tunings (fiddle). 12. This very old melody is perhaps the most widely known of any Arcadian dance tune, suggests Harry Smith (Folkways FA29552, 1952), “for full notes see Whitfield’s Louisiana French Folk Songs (101).” It is now known as a children's song, but some say the lyrics contain a double-entendre (the 'frogs tail' mentioned in the song will "grow back", as in male sexual recovery). Raymond Francois (1990) quotes accordion player Moise Robin:

Yes, me and "Boy" Fruge went to Memphis Tennessee to make some records. "Boy" had no musicians with him. When we arrived there, he found a pop bottle case made of wood and turned it upside down and stomped on that for his drum effect while recording. The first song he recorded was "Saute, Crapaud."

Fiddler Leo Soileau was the third member of the party recording that day. Fruge's (sometimes given as Frugé) "Saut(e) Crapaud", however, was recorded by him as a solo piece.

Saute crapaud!
Ta queue va brûler!
Mais prends courage,
Elle va repousser.
Va y donc, crapaud!

L'hiver après prendre!

Saute crapaud!
Ta queue va brûler!
Mets chère Pauline
Une tasse de café.

Oh crapaud,
Qui q'as fait ton gilet?
C'est Rose Martin,
La fille à maman.

Additional notes

Source for notated version: - Isom J. Fontenot (La.) [Francois].

Printed sources : - Francois (Yé Yaille, Chère!), 1990; p. 273. Greenblatt (Cajun Fiddle Book), 1985; pp. 12 13.

Recorded sources: -Arhoolie Records AR-5009, Ison J. Fontenot. Columbia 40513F (78 RPM), Columbus Fruge (1920). Folkways FA 2952, Columbus Fruge "Anthology of American Folk Music, vol. 2: Social Music" (1952). Victor 22184A {78 RPM}, Columbus Fruge (1929).

See also listing at:
Hear Columbus Fruge's 1929 recording at youtube.com [1]

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