The Fox
(Traditional)
Performer(s): Burl Ives



The fox went out on a chilly night
He prayed for the moon to give him light
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o
He'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o

He ran til he came to a great big pen
Where the ducks and the geese were put therein
"A couple of you will grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
A couple of you will grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o"

He grabbed the gray goose by the neck
Throwed a duck across his back
He didn't mind their quack, quack, quack
And their legs a-dangling down-o, down-o, down-o
He didn't mind their quack, quack, quack
And their legs a-dangling down-o

Then old Mother Flipper-Flopper jumped out of bed
Out of the window she cocked her head
Crying, "John, John! The gray goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o"
Crying, "John, John! The gray goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o!"

Then John, he went to the top of the hill
Blowed his horn both loud and shrill
The fox he said, "I better flee with my kill
Or they'll soon be on my trail-o, trail-o, trail-o!"
The fox he said, "I better flee with my kill
Or they'll soon be on my trail-o!"

He ran till he came to his cozy den
There were the little ones, eight, nine, ten
They said, "Daddy, better go back again
'Cause it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o!"
They said, "Daddy, better go back again
'Cause it must be a mighty fine town-o!

Then the fox and his wife without any strife
Cut up the goose with a fork and knife
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o