Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
Sung by Robert Hunter on 11 June 2003.
The fox went out one chilly nightNotes
He prayed to the Moon to give him light
For he had many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o
He had 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 kept therein
He said, a couple of you are gonna grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
A couple of you are gonna grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o
He grabbed the grey goose by the neck (note 1)
And he slung the duck across his back
He didn't mind the quack, quack, quack
And the legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o
He didn't mind the quack, quack, quack
And the legs all dangling down-o
Old Mother [Pitter Patter] jumped out of bed
Out of the window she stuck her head, sayin'
John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o
Hey, John, the goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o
John, he ran to the top of the hill (note 1)
He blew his horn both loud and shrill
The fox said, I'd better flee with my kill
For he'll soon be on my trail-o, trail-o, trail-o
The fox said, I'd better flee with my kill
For he'll soon be on my trail-o
He ran right up to his cozy den
There were his 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
Said, hey Dad better go back again
It must be a mighty fine town-o
The fox and his wife without any strife
Cut up the goose with a fork and knife
They'd 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