Around here the first real sign of spring is when we hear the Spring Peepers chirping all night. These tiny little frogs live in the woods near ponds, streams and swamps, and emerge each spring from hibernation singing their happy song. Rehearsals for their special nightly concerts began off and on about a week or so ago. However, now that the overnight temperatures are consistently above freezing we will be hearing our little friends’ singing for months.

To celebrate their return Asa wrote a parody to the 1970s Blue Oyster Cult classic, “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” Except his version is called “Don’t Fear Spring Peepers,” because I do admit sometimes their hundreds of high pitch chirping does remind me of something out of a horror movie!

Now springtime has come
Here when once was gone
Springtime don’t fear the Peepers
Now in the evening they love to sing
We can sing like they do

Come on, puppy (don’t fear Spring Peepers)
Puppy, sing along (don’t fear Spring Peepers)
They can’t even fly (don’t fear Spring Peepers)
Peepers, here again

Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo

(cowbell solo)

Wintertime is done
Snow is now all gone
Little frogs come out to nest
Are together in the marshlands (little frogs come out to nest)
40,000 Spring Peepers sing every night (little frogs come out to nest)
40,000 Spring Peepers sing every night (hibernation is done)
Another 40,000 chirping every night (we can sing like they do)

Come on, puppy (don’t fear Spring Peepers)
Puppy, sing along (don’t fear Spring Peepers)
They can’t even fly (don’t fear Spring Peepers)
Peepers, here again

Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo

(more cowbell)

Love of spring is fun
Here when once was gone
Came last night their chirping
And it was clear that they would sing on

Then the warm weather came and they appeared
The temperature dropped and they disappeared
The Peepers hid and then reappeared
Chirping don’t be afraid

Come on, puppy (and we had no fear)
And we sang with them (because they couldn’t fly)
They looked back at us and sang chirp (we had become like they are)
We have joined their big band (we had become like they are)
Come on, puppy (don’t fear Spring Peepers)

(even more cowbell)

Alright I admit this song is an excuse for Asa to do a cowbell solo, and share this old photo where he thinks he looks cool.

And yes, if you’re wondering Spring Peeper frogs do occasionally peep while peeping!