The Fox (folk song)

The Fox is a traditional folk song. It is also the subject of at least two picture books, The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night: an old song, illustrated by Peter Spier and Fox Went out on a Chilly Night, by Wendy Watson. According to 'Blugrass Picker's Tune Book' by Richard Matteson, the earliest version of this song appears to have been a Middle English poem, dating from the fifteenth century found in the British Museum.

Lyrics

Typical lyrics are as follows:

1. The fox went out for a chase one night<br>prayed to the moon to give him light<br>for he had many a mile to go that night<br>before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o<br>he had many a mile to go that night<br>before he reached the town-o.

2. He ran right up to the farmers pen<br>ducks and the geese were kept therein<br>he said "A couple of you gonna grease my chin<br>before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o<br>A couple of you gonna grease my chin<br>before I leave this town-o."

3. He grabbed the grey goose by the neck<br>slung the little one over his back<br>he didn't mind the quack quack quack<br>and the legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o<br>he didn't mind the quack quack quack<br>and the legs all dangling down-o.

4. Old Mother...
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