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Grasshopper Green
by
George Cooper


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Grasshopper-Green is a comical chap;
     He lives on the best of fare;
Bright little trousers, jacket, and cap,
    
     These are his summer wear.
Out in the meadow he loves to go,
     Playing away in the sun;
It's hopperty, skipperty, high and low:
     Summer's the time for fun!

Grasshopper-Green has a dozen wee boys,
     And, soon as their legs grow strong,
All of them join in his frolicsome joys,
     Humming his merry song.
Under the leaves in a happy row,
     Soon as the day has begun,
It's hopperty, skipperty, high and low:
     Summer's the time for fun!

Grasshopper-Green has a quaint little house,
     It's under the hedge so gay:
Grandmother-Spider, as still as a mouse,
     She envies him over the way.
Darling, he's calling for you, I know,
     Out in the beautiful sun;
It's hopperty, skipperty, high and low:
     Summer's the time for fun.

 

This poem first appeared in The Nursery — A Monthly Magazine, Volume XVII,1875 (John L. Shorey, No. 36, Bromfield Street, Boston).
It is now in the public domain.


George Cooper (1840 - 1927) was born in New York City. He began writing as a child and, by the age of 16, was publishing poems in leading magazines.  He studied law and practiced for several years, but eventually decided to pursue a career as a writer. He wrote a number of hymns and much of his work was targeted at children. Stephen Foster set many of George's lyrics to music; the best known is probably "Sweet Genevieve."

 

 


Post New Comment:
Melissa:
I used to remember my late father reciting this for me and my brother when we were young, he then was still able to remember and recite it for my children. I am glad I found a copy.
Posted 04/13/2021 07:35 PM
Eugene:
Im 62 now and remember to this day, singing this song in a competition. It went really well for me, coming second...... The reason being my voice broke on the final high note ! I was, at the time a very embarrassed 11 year old
Posted 03/14/2021 12:28 PM
Diane:
My mother used to recite this to me when I was little. She is now 95 but can't remember where she learned it.
Posted 04/18/2016 01:55 AM
Dandelion:
I have the same memories as all the others who have commented on this beautiful little poem. Pity about the author being anon. Going to teach my grandchildren
Posted 09/02/2014 08:49 AM
Pampryllus:
Bryan Hillan: Like Helen Prouting and others on here, I love this little poem. I learnt it when I was around five years old. I am over seventy now and have repeated to my children and grandchildren who can all recite it with a modicum of flair.
Posted 10/04/2013 11:14 AM
From city of Taj agra:
forty years back I learned this poem and recited at my class in English Oral Test,indeed now I have gone to my old memories: Gopal Talwar,Agra, India
Posted 09/24/2013 01:59 PM
Helen Prouting:
I just loved reading this poem to my children. Now I am reading it to my grandchildren!
Posted 12/05/2012 02:41 AM
soups:
i was so nostalgic, to read this poem,love grasshopper green,the comical chap.
Posted 10/07/2012 05:25 AM
Wilda Morris:
Brings back wonderful childhood memories.
Posted 07/02/2012 09:12 PM
Larry Schug:
They just don't write 'em like that anymore. The question is why not. This poem points out to me how important it is for childeren and all of us to spend as much time in nature as possible. I'm alsoa fanof the grasshopper's attire.
Posted 07/01/2012 09:13 AM
Donna Pflueger:
Jayne, what a PERFECT poem for the first of July. I love the "...bright little trousers, jacket and cap, these are his summer wear..." This should help all of us "hopperty, skipperty" into the heat of summer! Thanks, Donna
Posted 07/01/2012 09:03 AM


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