The Fox


1. The fox went out on a chilly night,
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.

2. He ran ‘til he came to a great big bin
Where the ducks and the geese were kept therein
Said, a couple of you are going to 
	grease my chin Before I leave this town-o…

3. He grabbed the grey goose by the neck
Throwed a duck across his back
He didn't mind the quack, quack, quack
And the legs all dangling down o…

4. Then old mother Flipper-flopper jumped out of bed
Out of the window she cocked her head
Crying, John, John the grey goose is gone
and the fox is on the town-o…

5. Then John he went to the top of the hill
Blew 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…

6. He ran till he came to his cozy den
There were the little ones, eight, nine, ten
Saying, Daddy, Daddy, Better go back again
For it must be a mighty fine town-o…

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


Long famous in English tradition, this ballad had become known in the nursery ¢as early as the eighteenth century. 

The OXFORD BOOK OF NURSERY RHYMES states, “This rollicking song is traditional in both England and America.... The song has descended from a carol which was probably already old when it happened to be written down on the flyleaf of a manuscript, c. 1500. (Royal MS 19 B. iv)”