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> Cyril Tawney > Songs > Old Daddy Fox
> John Kirkpatrick > Songs > Old Father Fox

The Fox / Daddy Fox / A Fox Jumped Up

[ Roud 131 / Song Subject MAS283 ; Master title: The Fox ; G/D 3:499 ; Henry H38 ; Ballad Index R103 ; VWML CJS2/10/2824 , HAM/3/18/9 ; Bodleian Roud 131 ; GlosTrad Roud 131 ; Wiltshire 645 , 797 ; Folkinfo 11 , 15 ; DT FOXOUT5 ; Mudcat 13266 , 40541 ; trad.]

Sabine Baring-Gould: Songs of the West Norman Buchan: 101 Scottish Songs Bob Copper: Early to Rise The Copper Family: The Copper Family Song Book Ralph Dunstan: The Cornish Songbook Fred Hamer: Garners Gay Gale Huntington, Lani Herrmann, John Moulden: Sam Henry’s Songs of the People Inglis Gundry: Canow Kernow Maud Karpeles: Cecil Sharp’s Collection of English Folk Songs William Henry Long: A Dictionary of the Isle of Wight Dialect Emily Lyle, Kaye McAlpine, Anne Dhu McLucas: The Song Repertoire of Amelia and Jane Harris Dáibhí Ó Cróinín: The Songs of Elizabeth Cronin Frank Purslow: The Wanton Seed Steve Roud, Julia Bishop: The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs

Cyril Biddick and chorus sang Daddy Fox in a recording made in 1943 in Boscastle, Cornwall. It was included in 1955 on the anthology The Columbia World Library of Folk and Primitive Music - Volume III: England, edited by Alan Lomax.

Harry Burgess sang The Hungry Fox at home in Glynde, Sussex, on 19 June 1956. This recording made by Mervyn Plunkett was included in 1998 on the Topic anthology of songs of hunting and poaching, To Catch a Fine Buck Was My Delight (The Voice of the People Series Volume 18).

Mrs G.H. Freer of Scarborough, Yorkshire sang The Old Fox to Colin Wharton in 1962. This recording was published in 2019 on the Musical Traditions anthology Songs of the North Riding, which contains the field recordings of Wharton’s 1962 Leeds University degree thesis “Folk Songs From the North Riding”.

Bob and Ron Copper sang The Hungry Fox to Peter Kennedy at the Central Club, Peacehaven, Sussex in 1963. The recording was included in 2012 ot the Topic anthology of ballads sung by British and Irish traditional singers, Good People, Take Warning (The Voice of the People Series Volume 23). Bob Copper also sang The Fox, “a favourite of the young Sir Walter Scott”, on his 1977 Topic album of countryside songs from the South, Sweet Rose in June. Steve Roud noted on the 2012 anthology

One of the most popular of traditional songs, versions of The Hungry Fox were reported particularly frequently in England and North America, and also in Ireland and Scotland. As is to he expected in such a widely-known song, the wording varies considerably, but the story is remarkably stable, and the verse featuring ‘Old Mother Slipper Slopper’ (or similar) was particularly popular. Although the killing of defenceless animals is now thought inappropriate for the nursery, previous generations thought nothing of it, and The Hungry Fox was often included in compilations of rhymes aimed at children. It may even have started life in that milieu, as the earliest known printed version was one verse included in the influential nursery rhyme book Gammer Gurton’s Garland (1810).

The Young Tradition sang Daddy Fox in 1967 on their second album, So Cheerfully Round. Peter Bellamy noted:

I almost learned Daddy Fox in the approved traditional manner, not at my mother’s knee, but at the knee of my Great-Aunt Henrietta, who used to sing it to me when was very small. The only problem is that the version which I remember her singing was an American one. Perhaps she learned it from a Burl Ives record on Housewives’ Choice. The version we sing here comes from Dartmoor and comes to us indirectly and somewhat changed from the singing of Cyril Tawney.

Roy and Val Bailey sang The Fox in 1968 on their album of children’s songs with Leon Rosselson, Oats & Beans & Kangaroos.

Cyril Tawney sang Old Daddy Fox on his 1970 Argo album Children’s Songs From Devon and Cornwall. He noted:

Collected by Ralph Dunstan from Jim Thomas of Camborne, 21 October 1931 [VWML CJS2/10/2824] . This old song is one of the most popular traditional pieces on either side of the Atlantic, but nowhere are versions more abundant than in Devon and Cornwall. Even in these modern times the song-hunter does not travel far in this region before encountering it. Tunes vary greatly, but the words are fairly rigid, being apparently unaffected not only by distance but by time too. I have seen a mediaeval version whose text differs little from that given here.

Freda Palmer sang The Fox and the Grey Goose in a recording made by Mike Yates at her home in Witney, Oxfordshire in 1972. Int was included in 1975 on the Topic anthology of countryside songs from Southern England, When Sheepshearing’s Done, in 2001 on the Musical Traditions anthology of songs and music from the Mike Yates Collection, Up in the North and Down in the South, and in 2018 on her own Musical Traditions anthology, Leafield Lass. Rod Stradling noted in the accompanying booklet:

The Fox and the Grey Goose is a universally known song—at least in the version popularised by Burl Ives—although, surprisingly, Freda had never heard of the latter version until Mike Yates mentioned it to her. Freda’s line “From this to yonder town” seems to suggest a non-English origin for her version; “From here to yonder town” would be more usual. Maybe this one has Irish origins?

A verse of the song appeared in Gammer Gurton’s Garland (1810) and it is one of the songs that Sir Walter Scott listed as being a favourite of his childhood. Many Victorian broadside printers included it in their catalogues, and collectors have found it being sung in many English counties—thus the 205 instances in Roud, though almost half of these are from the USA. Only Alfred Williams’ collection from ‘Wassail’ Harvey of Cricklade, Wilts, and Janet Blunt’s collection from Charles Harris Blunt, of Adderbury, are from Freda’s part of the country; the majority of English versions come from either Sussex or the south west.

Harry Burgess sings a Sussex version on The Voice of the People (TSCD668), as does Bob Copper (TSCD673T), Cyril Biddick sings a Cornish one (Rounder 1741) and an American version, based on the Burl Ives rendition, can be heard sung by E.C. Ball of Virginia on High Atmosphere (Rounder CD 0028).

Mrs. M. Heathman of Torrington, Devon sang The Fox in a recording made by Sam Richards and Tish Stubbs in 1974-80 that was released in 1981 on Folkways’ An English Folk Music Anthology. Sam Richards noted:

This song has been vastly popular both in Britain an North America. Although many singers regard it as a piece to be sung for children, it has been popular with adult gatherings too. Not far from Torrington, where this recording was made, The Fox was used until very recently as a pub song. Mrs. Heathman’s short version is used to entertain the younger members of her family.

Melanie Harrold sang A Fox Jumped Up in 1983 on Tim Hart and Friends’ album Drunken Sailor and Other Kids Songs. This track was later included on their compilation CD Favourite Nursery Rhymes and Other Children’s Songs.

Mike Seeger sang Old Fox on the Seeger Family’s 1992 album Animal Folk Songs for Children.

Barry and Robin Dransfield sang Daddy Fox in 1994 on Barry’s CD Be Your Own Man. He noted:

One of my very favourite English folksongs. I was struck with this one when I heard it performed by The Young Tradition in the sixties. Their sense of style and pace is still second to none and has certainly inspired me. The fox and family have a wonderful time and get away with it—brilliant. Thanks to Robin for joining me on this one, and I would like to dedicate this to Young Tradition members Royston Wood and Peter Bellamy, both great friends who tragically are no longer with is.

The Ripley Wayfarers (Mick Peat, Barry Renshaw, Andrew Train, Arthur Renshaw and Phil Langham) sang Daddy Fox, “[o]ne of the most popular songs in Folk Clubs, given a new twist by our setting of it to the tune of Carrion Crow”, on their 1971 Traditional Sound LP Chips and Brown Sauce. It was also included in 2001 on the Fellside anthology Voices in Harmony on which Paul Adams noted:

An idealised, children’s storybook image of the fox. Still, coupling it with the tune associated with The Carrion Crow turned it into a very singable song.

Gordon Hall sang Reynard in a home recording made in the early 1990s that he included on his cassette anthology Warts & Hall.

Pete Morton sang The Fox in 1991 on his, Roger Wilson’s and Simon Edwards’ Harbourtown cassette Urban Folk Vol. I. He noted:

The Fox is sometimes known as Daddy Fox, this is an American version of this children’s song.

Ray Driscoll sang Old Father Fox in a recording made by Gwilym Davies in Dulwich in October 1993. It was published in 2008 on his CD Wild, Wild Berry. Gwilym Davies noted that “in most versions the fox is referred to as ‘Daddy Fox’, and Ray’s version is the only one collected in England referring to ‘Father Fox’.”

The New Scorpion Band sang The Fox in 1999 on their first CD, Folk Songs and Tunes From the British Isles. They noted:

The song was collected by the Hammond Brothers from Mrs Crawford in West Milton, Dorset in 1906 [VWML HAM/3/18/9] . Versions exist wherever English is spoken, and the text is fairly consistent, except for the name of the farmer’s wife; here she is Old Mother Wibble-Wobble!

Isla St Clair sang Mr Fox on her 2002 album My Generation.

The Witches of Elswick sang the Ripley Wayfarers’ version of Daddy Fox in 2003 on their first CD, Out of Bed. They noted:

This is a song… about a fox! Fay [Hield] and Gillian [Tolfrey] used to sing versions of this when they were little, but these words were put to the tune of The Carrion Crow by the luscious Mick Peat, of Radio Derby fame.

Stanley Robertson sang The Tod on his 2006 Elphinstone Institute album of “songs and stories of an Aberdeen childhood”, Rum Scum Scoosh!. Julia C. Bishop noted:

The Tod (Roud 131)—“an old song like The Fox and the Goose” (SR)—and Three Times Round (Roud 124, Child 289)—“a North-East version of The Mermaid” (SR)—are demonstrably older, and well-known in Britain and North America. The Tod is a Scots language version and, as such, appeared in print in 1820-24 (Smith, VI, 94). This form is not found in the Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection, although Christie published a version from Aberdeenshire in 1881 with a composite tune rhythmically similar to, but melodically distinct from Stanley’s fine march (Christie, II, 278-79). The version published by Buchan (1962) is a close analogue of Stanley’s in both words and music and may have been collected from a member of his family.

The Mighty Quinns sang The Fox and the Grey Goose in 2008 on their Hebe album Thicker Than Water. They noted:

The Fox and the Grey Goose is from Freda Palmer of Witney, Oxfordshire and she was recorded by Mike Yates in the early 1970s. An unusual version (Spoiler Alert!!) in that the farmer shoots the fox dead at the end.

Isambarde sang Daddy Fox on their 2010 album Telling Tales.

Jon Boden sang Barry Dransfield’s version of Daddy Fox as the 2 January 2011 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day.

Pete Coe sang Daddy Fox in 2011 on his Backshift album of children’s songs, Tall Tailes.

Steve Roud included The Hungry Fox in 2012 in The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs. James Findlay, Brian Peters, Bella Hardy and Lucy Ward sang it a year later on the accompanying Fellside CD The Liberty to Choose.

John and Sally Kirkpatrick sang Old Father Fox on their 2013 Fledg’ling CD Every Mortal Place. He noted:

People of my generation who grew up listening to Children’s Favourites on the BBC Light Programme had no idea there were so many sturdy English alternatives to the way the American singer Burl Ives gave us The Fox. It felt as though he was on every weekend. In fact the song has been around for well over two hundred years, and has been collected and recorded no end of times from traditional English singers. The usual title is The Fox, or The Hungry Fox, or Old Daddy Fox, but Ray Driscoll had picked it up in Shropshire, uniquely, so it seems, as Old Father Fox.

Ray was more of a pub singer than a concert artist, and not only did he take this at quite a lick, but also turned in a crowd-pleasing semi-tone run in a couple of the lines of the verse. This kind of thing doesn’t please all of us, however, and I’ve left that out, as well as tinkering with the words here and there. And foxes never seem to feel the need to be in that much of a hurry, except in dire emergencies, so I’ve slowed the tempo right down too. But apart from changing the words, the tune, and the speed, this is exactly how Gwilym Davies recorded it from Mr Driscoll!

Jess and Richard Arrowsmith sang A Fox Jumped Up on their 2014 album of nursery songs, rhymes and lullabies, Off We Go Again!.

Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow sang The Fox in 2016 as the title track of their CD The Fox.

Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer sang Daddy Fox in 2016 on their CD Paper of Pins. They noted:

A well loved and often sung traditional song that has roots in many places in the UK. A new melody though—one which we hope accents the humour of the song’s events. Interspersed with a reel The Chicken Run.

Katherine Campbell sang Johnnie Armstrong in 2014 on the Springthyme album of ballads and songs from the unique family repertoire of Perthshire sisters Amelia and Jane Harris, The Songs of Amelia and Jane Harris. The album’s notes commented:

A Scottish version of a song better known in its English form as A Fox Jumped Up one Winter’s Night (Opie 171).

Mother tod (fox) is lying sick with seven young ones at her feet. She longs for some tasty meat:

The tod’s wife is lyin sick,
Wi seven young tods at her feet,
She longed for a bit o the pykan meat,
A’ for her lyin in O,

GreenMatthews sang Daddy Fox on their 2019 CD Roots & Branches. They noted:

A tale of vulpine larceny learned from the singing of Barry Dransfield. Unusually for an English folk song, this is a song about a fox in which Reynard is still alive by the end.

Gigspanner Big Band sang Daddy Fox in 2020 on their CD Natural Invention. They noted:

The cunning and resourceful nature of the Fox has been a global theme of folk song and tale for centuries.

This particular song’s earliest incarnations date back to the 15^th Century, and are written in Middle English, and whilst the language is archaic, the story has barely changed throughout its retelling.

The much later version we have chosen is from Dartmoor and was recorded by the Young Tradition, who in turn learnt it indirectly from Cyril Tawney. It is partnered with the Morris tune Not for Joe.

Lewis Barfoot sang The Fox on her 2021 CD Glenaphuca. She noted:

The album is a folk prayer to my ancestors and largely focuses on the feminine and my Irish roots. But I wanted to honour the masculine and my father in the album and what better way than to sing my favourite song that my dad used to sing to us as children—The Fox. I couldn’t get enough of him playing it and I would love singing along to the “bones o, bones o”. His fingerpicking style would tickle my bones with delight and was the inspiration for me to learn guitar.

Alex Cumming recorded The Fox in 2022 for his download single The Fox. He noted:

The Fox, often known as The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night or Daddy Fox, is a fabulous tale of a Fox successfully feeding his family. This is a favourite of my kids, so had to lay this down and release is as a single.

This version is an amalgamation of various traditional versions of the song from the US and UK.

Matt Quinn and George Sansome sang The Fox and the Grey Goose in 2023 on their duo album Sheffield Park. Matt Quinn noted:

My dad used to sing this in our duo The Mighty Quinns. This version (complete with a less than happy ending for the fox) was in the repertoire of Freda Palmer from Witney, Oxfordshire.

Narthen sang Daddy Fox in 2023 on their No Masters album Now. They noted:

Mick Peat was a great encourager of all the performers he met. He used to perform this himself and in the spirit of handing things on, he suggested it was a song Sarah [Matthews] should sing.

Will Finn and Rosie Calvert sang Daddy Fox on their 2024 album Fallow Alchemy. They noted:

This traditional English ballad stretches back very far with the lyrics and melody changing many times over the years, but the narrative—of the wily fox stealing his dinner through pluck and cleverness—remains almost unchanged. It has inspired many versions including Roald Dahl for his book Fantastic Mister Fox.

Lyrics

Harry Burgess sings The Hungry Fox

A fox jumped up in his angry plight
And begged the moon to give him light,
For he had many miles to trot that night
Before he reached his den-home,
Den-ho, den-ho.
For he had many miles to trot that night
Before he reached his den home.

At last he came to the farmer’s yard
Where the ducks and geese declared they heard.
Their nerves should be shaken and their rest disturbed
By a visit from Mr Fox-o,
Fox-o, fox home.
Their nerves shall be shaken and their rest disturbed
By a visit from Mr Fox home.

He took the black duck by the neck
And swung him right across his back.
The black duck cried out, “Quack, quack, quack,”
With his legs hangling down and down-ho,
Down-ho, down-ho.
The black duck cried out, “Quack, quack, quack,”
With his legs all hangling down and down home.

Then old Mrs Slipper-Slapper jumped out of bed
And out of the window popped her head.
Said, “John, John, John, the black duck is gone,
The fox is off to his ken-ho,
Ken-ho, ken-ho.”
Saying, “John, John, John, the black duck is gone,
The fox is off to his ken home.”

Then John ran up to the top of the hill.
He blew a blast most loud and shrill.
Said the fox, “That is very pretty music still.
But I’m always home to my den-ho,
Den-ho, den-o.”
Said the fox, “That is very pretty music still,
And now I’m off to my den-ho.”

At last the fox got home to his den,
His dear little foxes eight, nine, ten.
Says, “Ah, you’re in luck, Here’s a good fat duck
With his legs hangling down and down-ho,
Down-ho, down-ho.”
Says, “Ah, you’re in luck, Here’s a good fat duck
With his legs hangling down and down home.”

He sat down to dinner with his hungry wife,
Did very well without a fork or knife.
Never had a better duck in all their life
And the little ones pick the bones-o,
Bones-o, bones-o
Never had a better duck in all their life
And the little ones pick the bones-o.

Bob and Ron Copper sing The Hungry Fox

A hungry fox jumped up in a fright
And he begged for the moon to give him light,
For he had many miles to trot that night
Before he got back to his den-o, den-o, den-o,
For he had many miles to trot that night
Before he got back to his den-o.

So he cocked up his head and out went his tail,
And off he went on the long, long trail,
Which he’d done many times in calm and gale
But he always got back to his den-o, etc.

And soon he came to the old farmyard,
Where the ducks and geese to him were barred,
But he always got one by working hard
To take back to his den-o, etc.

He grabbed the grey goose by the neck,
And he slung him right across his back,
And the old grey goose went quack, quack, quack,
But the fox was off to his den-o, etc.

Old Mother Slipper Stopper jumped out of bed,
And out of the window she poked her head.
“O John, John, the grey goose is gone,
And the fox is off to his den-o”, etc.

John went up to the top of the hill,
And he blew a trumpet loud and shrill.
Said the fox, “That’s very pretty music. Still
I’d rather be in my den-o”, etc.

At last he got back to his den
To his dear little foxes, eight, nine, ten,
And they’ve had many fat geese since then
And sometimes a good fat hen-o, etc.

The Young Tradition sing Daddy Fox

Daddy Fox he went out one chilly night
He prayed to the moon for to give him light,
For he’d many many miles to go that night
Before he came to his den-o,
Den-o, den-o
For he’d many many miles to go that night
Before he came to his den-o

So he grabbed the grey goose by the neck
And he throwed a duck all across his back
And he heeded not their quivvy-quivvy-quack
Nor the legs all a-dangeling down-o
Down-o, down-o,
He heeded not their quivvy-quivvy-quack
Nor the legs all a-dangeling down-o.

Then Old Mother Twiddle-Twoddle jumped out of bed
And out of the window she stuck her little head
Crying, “Oh John oh, now the grey goose is dead
And the fox is away to his den-o.”
Den-o, den-o,
Crying, “Oh John oh, now the grey goose is dead
And the fox is away to his den-o.”

So John then he rode up to the top of the hill
He blowed his little horn both loud and shrill.
“Play on,” said Reynard, “with your music still
While I trot away to my den-o,”
Den-o, den-o,
“Play on,” said Reynard, “with your music still
While I trot away to my den-o.”

Then old Daddy Fox and his cubs and his wife
They cut up the goose without any knife,
Saying, “I’ve never ever had such a supper in my life
And the cubs they can pick on the bones-o,”
Bones-o, bones-o,
Saying, “I’ve never ever had such a supper in my life
And the cubs they can pick on the bones-o.”

Cyril Tawney sings Old Daddy Fox

Old Daddy Fox went out one night
And prayed to the moon to give him light,
For he had a long way to go that night
Before he reached the town-o,
The town-o, the town-o,
He had a long way to go that night
Before he reached the town-o.

When he reached the farmyard gate
The ducks and the geese went gruddy-gruddy-quack.
“Oh don’t be alarmed and don’t be afeared
For the fattest of you shall grease my beard
Before I leave the town-o,
The town-o, the town-o,
The fattest of you shall grease my beard
Before I leave the town-o.”

The old grey goose gave the loudest quack
He picked her up upon his back.
He picked her up upon his back
And the blood come a-trickeling down-o,
A-down-o, a-down-o,
He picked her up upon his back
And the blood come a-trickeling down-o

Old Gramma Snipper-Snapper jumped out of bed,
Pulled down the window and popped out her head,
Said, “Arise Jack, arise, for the grey goose is dead
And the fox has left the town-o,
The town-o, the town-o,
Arise Jack, arise, for the grey goose is dead
And the fox has left the town-o.”

So Jack got up and he made alarm,
He saddled his horse and he blew his horn,
And he saw the fox on the other hill
Saying, “You can’t catch me, I’m a good man still
And I like the sound of your horn-o,
Your horn-o, your horn-o,
You can’t catch me, I’m a good man still
And I like the sound of your horn-o.”

When he got home to his old den,
Out come the young ones, eight, nine, ten,
The fox and his wife ate the grey goose then
And the young ones picked up the bones-o,
The bones-o, the bones-o,
The fox and his wife ate the grey goose then
And the young ones picked up the bones-o.

Freda Palmer sings The Fox and the Grey Goose

The stars were shining and all things bright.
“Ha-ha”, said the fox, “it’s a very fine night
For me to go through the town-di-o,
For me to go through the town.”

The fox when he came to yonder’s stile
He p(r)icked up his ears and listened awhile.
“Ha-ha”, said the fox, “it’s but a short mile,
From this to yonder town-di-o,
From this to yonder town.”

The fox when he came to the farmer’s gate,
Who should he see but the farmer’s drake.
“I love you well for your master’s sake,
But I long to be picking your bones-i-o,
But I long to be picking your bones.”

The grey goose ran around the stack,
“Ha-ha”, said the fox, “you’re very fat,
You’ll do very well to ride on my back,
From this to yonder town-di-o,
From this to yonder town.”

The farmer’s wife she jumped out of bed
And out of the window she popped her head.
“Oh husband, oh husband, the geese are all dead,
The fox has been through the town-di-o,
The fox has been through the town.”

The farmer he loaded his pistol with lead,
And shot the old rogue of the fox through the head.
“Ha-ha”, said the farmer, “I think you’re quite dead,
No more you will trouble the town-di-o,
No more you will trouble the town.”

Mrs. Heathman sings The Fox

Old Mother Clip Clop jumped out of bed
And out of the window popped her head
O John, John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is off to his den-o
Den-o, den-o
And the fox is off to his den-o

Then John went up to the top of the hill
And blew a blast both loud and shrill
Said the sly old fox: That’s pretty music still
I’d rather be home in my den-o
Den-o, den-o
I’d rather be home in my den-o

So the fox ran off to his den
And his baby foxes eight, nine, ten
Said he; You’re in luck, here’s big fat duck
With his legs hanging dangling down-o
Down-o, down-o
With his legs hanging dangling down-o

Melanie Harrold sings A Fox Jumped Up

Oh a fox jumped up one winter’s night
And he begged the moon to give him light,
For he’d many, many miles to trod that night
Before he reached his den-o.

And the first place he came to was a farmer’s yard
Where the ducks and the geese declared it hard
That their nerves should be shaken and their rest so marred
By a visit from the fox-o.

And he took the grey goose by the neck,
He swung him right up across his back,
The grey goose cried out, “Quack, quack, quack,”
With his legs all dangling down-o.

Then Old Mother Slipper-Slopper jumped out of bed
And out of the window she popped her head
Saying, “John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is away to his den-o.”

So John ran up to the top of the hill
And be blew his whistle loud and shrill,
Said the fox, “That is pretty music, still
I’d rather be in my den-o.”

So the fox went back to his hungry den
And his dear little foxes eight, nine, ten,
They said, “Good daddy, you must go there again,
You bring such cheer from the farm-o.”

So the fox and his wife without any strife
Said they never ate a better goose in all their life,
They did very, very well without a fork or a knife
And the little ones picked the bones-o.

Ray Driscoll sings Old Father Fox

Old Father Fox came out one night
And he prayed for the moon for to give him light.
For he’d many a mile to travel that night
Before he reached his den-o,
Den-o, den-o,
For he’d many a mile to travel that night
Before he reached his den-o.

Oh he grabbed the grey goose by the head
He gave him a bite and he was dead.
And he flung him back across his back
With the legs a-dangling down-o,
Down-o, down-o,
Oh he threw the goose across his back
With the legs a-dangling down-o.

Old Mother Slipper-Slopper jumped out of bed
And out of the window popped her head.
She said, “John, John, the grey goose is dead
And the fox is away to his den-o,
Den-o, den-o,
Oh John, John, John, the grey goose is gone,
The fox is away to his den-o.”

The farmer went out to the top of the hill
And he blew his horn both loud and shrill.
The fox said, “Blow till your head to fill
For I am away to my den-o,
Den-o, den-o,”
He said, “Oh you can blow to your fill
For I am away to my den-o.”

And then he got home to his own little wife
They cut up the goose without her knife,
Said, “The best feed I’ve had in my life
And the cups can have the bones-o,
Bones-o, bones-o,”
He said, “The best feed I’ve had in my life
And the cups can have the bones-o.”

The Witches of Elswick sing Daddy Fox

Daddy Fox went out on a chilly night
    With a ling dong, dilly dong, kyro me
Praying for the moon to give him light
    With a ling dong, dilly dong, kyro me

Chorus (repeated after each verse):
Hey falee fala falero, hey falero lero lee;
Up jumped John, a-ringing on his bell,
With a ling dong, dilly dong, kyro me.

He ran till he came to a quick kip pen
The ducks and geese they lay therein

He grabbed the grey goose by the neck
Threw a little duck all across his back

Old Mrs Flipper-Flopper jumped out of bed
Through the window she stuck her little head

And John rode up to the top of the hill
He blew his little horn both loud and shrill

The fox went back to his cozy den
Little ones were there, they were eight, nine and ten

The fox and his wife without any strife
Cut up the goose with a fork and a knife

Stanley Robertson sings The Tod

Hey, quoth the tod, it’s a braw bricht nicht,
The wind’s in the west an the meen shines bricht,
The wind’s in the west an the meen shines bricht
And I’m awa tae the toun-o.

I went doon among some scrogs
An I wis nearly worried by the dogs,
But I got a sooch o the shepherd’s hogs
As I came in tae the toun-o.

He’s taen the grey goose by the green sleeve,
Aye, auld witch, for yer gaun tae dee,
Yer flesh is tender, yer beens I maun pree,
For this I’ve came tae the toun-o.

Hey, quoth the auld wifie oot o her bed
An oot o the windae she shot her auld head,
Said, Ouid man, the grey goose is dead
And the tod his been tae the toun-o.

(repeat first verse)

Jess and Richard Arrowsmith sing A Fox Jumped Up

A fox jumped up one winter’s night,
And begged for the moon to give him light,
For he’d many a mile to go that night,
Before he came to the town-o,
Town-o, town-o,
He’d many a mile to go that night.
Before he came to the town-o.

He ran till he came to a great big pen.
Where the ducks and the geese were put therein.
“A couple of you will grease my chin.
Before I leave this town-o.” …

Then he took the grey goose by the neck,
He swung her all across his back,
The grey goose cried out, “Quack, quack, quack”
With her legs all dangling down-o …

Then Old Mother Slipper-Slopper jumped out of bed,
And out of the window she popped her head,
Crying, “John, John, John, the grey goose is dead,
And the fox is away to his den-o.” …

So John ran up to the top of the hill,
And he blew his horn both loud and shrill,
“Play on,” said the fox, “with your music still,
While I trot away to my deno.” …

Then old Daddy Fox with his cubs and his wife.
He cut up the goose without any knife.
He’d never ever had such a supper in his life.
And the little ones picked the bones-o …