Hi Ned. Apparently it is a West Indian whaling shanty (or schantie if you prefer, Steve!), collected by Roger D Abrahams of the University of Texas. It was used for calling out the reluctant whalermen (the grey goose) to hunt the whale (the fox). I presume that the possibility of whaling might get in the way of a useful morning sunning oneself under a tree! That's all I know! But why were the whalermen reluctant and why is John dead?

who dig his grave?
Alan