The fox went out on a chilly night
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 right till he came to a great big pen
ducks and the geese were kept therein
he said "A couple of you gonna grease my chin
before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
He said a couple of you gonna grease my chin
before I leave this town-o."
He grabbed the grey goose by the neck
slung the little one over his back
he didn't mind their quack quack quack
and the legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o
he didn't mind their quack quack quack
and the legs all dangling down-o.
Then Old Mother Slipper Slopper jumped out of bed
out of the window she popped her head yelling
"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 out to the barn
With his pipe in his mouth and his britches on his arm
The fox he said will do me no harm
Before I leave this town-o, town-o town-o
The fox he said will do me no harm
Before I leave this town-o
Then he ran till he came to his cozy den
there were his little ones eight nine ten
they said "Daddy you better go back again
for it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o
They said Daddy you better go back again
for it must be a mighty fine town-o."
The fox and his wife without any strife
cut up the goose with a carving 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.