> Bellowhead > Songs > Frog’s Legs and Dragon’s Teeth

Frog’s Legs and Dragon’s Teeth

[trad., Jon Boden]

Bellowhead recorded the tune set Frog’s Legs and Dragon’s Teeth for their 2006 CD, Burlesque. The album notes commented:

Frog’s Legs was learnt by osmosis at pub sessions, in which it has become popular in recent years. More widely and indeed correctly known as La Fête du Village, it hails from a 1799 manuscript compiled by William Mittel of New Romney in Kent.

Jon wrote Dragon’s Teeth for a production of Jason and the Argonauts at the Battersea Arts Centre in 2003. In the Hellenic saga, which may or may not be based on real events which may or may not have taken place some time between 2000 and 1400 BC, Jason sows agriculturally enhanced dragon’s teeth which grow into an army which then destroys itself down to the last man. In the production, the fight was depicted by a rather good stick dance.

This set can also be found on both of their live DVDs, Live at Shepherds Bush Empire (2009) and Hedonism Live (2011).