Verse 1 Fox, thou hast the goose purloined, Give her back, give her back! Else the farmer’s wrath thou’lt find, With his stick, with his sack! Fox, oh fox, what dost thou there? Leave the goose in peace and care! Chorus La la la, the fields are wide, La la la, the woods are deep, Hide thee not, nor slyly bide— For the farmer doth not sleep. Verse 2 Fox, thy young ones cry for meat, Yet the goose was not thine own. Stealing thus is no fair feat, Leave her be, leave her lone! Fox, oh fox, take heed, beware— Honest ways are ever fair. Chorus La la la, the fields are wide, La la la, the woods are deep, Hide thee not, nor slyly bide— For the farmer doth not sleep. Bridge Shouldst thou wander far and near, Let thy conscience be thy guide. Better hunger, better fear, Than to steal and then to hide. Chorus La la la, the fields are wide, La la la, the woods are deep, Hide thee not, nor slyly bide— For the farmer doth not sleep.
