Folk Song for November 2022: The Fox

One of the oldest known folk songs, The Fox dates at least as far back as the 15^th century! (Check the song's Wikipedia page if you’d like to see the lyrics in Middle English.) This one becomes more fun the faster you sing it, so start at a comfortable learning tempo but do gradually pick up the pace as you learn it!

It’s the longest lyric set of the folk songs for this year, but it's easier to learn than you might anticipate because it tells a story, so the verses have a logical narrative sequence, and also because there are repeated lines in each verse. So take heart! Just bite off one verse at a time and soon you'll all have it down pat. 

Also, we oh-so-helpfully scheduled it for November in case your kids want to keep plugging away at it over Christmas break. You’re welcome. 

😆

The recording by Peter, Paul, and Mary is jolly and funny, while the Nickel Creek recording showcases superb musicianship (this track is from their 2000 debut album, which was nominated for 2 Grammys)— and is perfectly suitable for dancing a reel if you’re so inclined!

Peter, Paul, and Mary's version (Youtube)

Nickel Creek's version (Youtube)

The Fox

Oh the fox went out on a chilly night

Prayed for 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

Many a mile to go that night before he reached the town-o

He ran till 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

Threw the ducks across his back

He didn't mind the "quack, quack, quack"

And the legs all danglin' down-o, down-o, down-o

He didn't mind the "quack, quack, quack" and the legs all danglin' down-o

Then old mother Flipper Flopper jumped out of bed

Out of the window she popped her head

Cryin', "John, John, the grey goose is gone

And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o

John! John! The grey goose is gone and the fox is on the town-o!"

Then John he ran to the top of the hill

Blew his horn both loud and shrill

The fox he said, "I better flee with my kill

For they'll soon be on my trail-o, trail-o, trail-o,"

The fox he said, "I better flee with my kill for they'll soon be on my trail-o!"

Well he ran till he came to his cozy den

There were his little ones, eight, nine, ten

Cryin', "Daddy, daddy, better go back again

'Cause it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o

Daddy, 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 carving 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!

Here's a music video which features Peter Spier’s picture book illustrating The Fox song, which younger children will enjoy.

Lynn's Youtube Playlist for AO Folk Songs 2022-2023

Our helpful intro post is sure to liven up your folk song adventures.

For more information on our folk songs, and for Amazon affiliate 

links to purchase individual songs, see our AO Folk Songs page.

These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.