This song is based on the old English folk tune, 'The Floral Dance', which commemorates
a festival held in Helston in Cornwall. In May this tune is played as villagers dance through
the streets. It's an old pagan fertility rite. The lyrics were added in the early twentieth century.
Watching Frodo's klutzy dancing style at Bilbo's party, plus Sam's
nervousness around Rosie gave us ideas!
Frodo's Chicken Dance
(Come in after 4 bar introduction)
On old Mr Bilbo’s party night,
The stars in heav'n were shining bright,
Rosie Cotton was dancing there,
There in the pipeweed scented air
Of old Bilbo’s Party Field
(2 bar break)
Over the sound of the gentle breeze,
Joining the murmur of rustling trees,
Merry tones of an old Shire dance
Played by the hobbit band perchance
On the night air came floating down
And dancing there were Boffins and Chubbs,
Brandybucks, Bracegirdles, Tooks, and Grubbs,
Bolgers, Proudfoots, Burrowses,
Hornblowers and Bagginses
Over there, as if in a trance,
Mr Frodo did the Chicken Dance
He stuck out his elbows as he was prancing,
Bobbed as he bent his knees as he was dancing
Back and forth in the dance he went
With two left feet and elbows bent,
In old Bilbo's Party field.
(2 bar break)
Well, I thought I’d go for another ale
My knees were knocking and my face was pale
Wanted to dance with Rosie but dared not
Whether she cared at all, I knew not
But I watched her as she danced along.
And dancing there were Boffins and Chubbs,
Brandybucks, Bracegirdles, Tooks, and Grubbs,
Bolgers, Proudfoots, Burrowses,
Hornblowers and Bagginses
Over there, as if in a trance,
Mr Frodo did the Chicken Dance
(Instrumental break)
I felt so lonely standing there,
And all I could do was stand and stare,
Rosie, would she dance with me,
Or would I lonely have to be
In old Bilbo’s Party Field?
(2 bar break)
When suddenly hastening through the crowd,
Came Frodo laughing long and loud,
With out-stretched hand he rushed me on,
And hustled me into that merry throng,
Then Rosie and me went dancing down.
And dancing there were Boffins and Chubbs,
Brandybucks, Bracegirdles, Tooks, and Grubbs,
Bolgers, Proudfoots, Burrowses,
Hornblowers and Bagginses
Over there, as if in a trance,
Mr Frodo did the Chicken Dance
I may be short, some say I’m fat,
But even I dance better than that!
Twirling round, I seized my chance,
Hurrah for Frodo’s Chicken Dance!