The Fox

Adapted by Burl Ives
Rise Up Singing chapter: Play, p.168
D - / - A / D G / DA D / A D / G D / A D

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

He ran 'til he came to a great big pen
The ducks and the geese were kept therein
He said "A couple of you are gonna grease my chin
Before I leave this town-0
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
And slung the little one over his back
And he didn't mind the quack, quack, quack
Or the legs all dangling down-o...

Old mother pitter-patter jumped out of bed
Out of the window she cocked her head
Crying, "John, John, the great goose is gone
The fox is on the town-o!..."

John, he went to the top of the hill
Blew his horn both loud and shrill
The fox, he said, "I'd better flee with my kill
He'll soon be on my trail-o..."

He ran 'til he came to his cozy den
And there were the little ones, eight, nine, ten
They said, "Daddy, daddy, better go back again
For it must be a mighty fine town-o..."

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