A First Series of Hymns and Songs/Descriptive Songs/The Song of the Foxes

by Henry Formby

31. The Song of the Foxes.

YOUNG FOX.

Ho! brother Fox, dost hear what I say?
Hey for the coppice-wood down in the vale!
The hunt and the hounds are coming this way,
Hey for the coppice-wood down in the vale!

Chorus.

Heigho, heigho! hey for the coppice-wood,
Hey for the coppice-wood down in the vale!
Heigho, heigho! hey for the coppice-wood,
Hey for the coppice-wood down in the vale!

The master, I know him, old Timothy Sheen,
Hey for the coppice-wood down in the vale!
And the field that is with him, in scarlet and green,
Hey for the coppice-wood down in the vale!
Heigho, &c.

I've seen him just now, in his hunting array,
His dogs all about, on the scent of their prey.

Now should they but find us here under the rocks,

I'd give but a song for our chance, brother Fox.

OLD FOX.

Why then if they're coming, we'd best make away,
And leave them to find such sport as they may.

And if they've a mind to be riding all day,

All for no good, let them have their own way. H. F.

N.B. The Burden, "Hey for," &c. is repeated after each line; and the Chorus, "Heigho," &c. at the end of each couplet.

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