An adaptation of An Maidrín Rua by Francis a Fahy, published in Walton's ''Sing an Irish Song'', book 10 (Dublin, no date, priced at 6d)(I don't recall having heard this version sung by anyone)

LITTLE RED FOX
F.A. Fahy

The Little Red Fox is a raider sly,
In the misty moonlight creeping;
With a morsel to his taste he hurries off in haste,
While the farm-yard's soundly sleeping.
''A duck!'' says he, ''has charms for me,
Likewise a young cock crowing;
But a fine fat goose is most of use,
To a family young and growing.''

chorus
Oh! Little Red Fox, Rex Fox, Red Fox,
Oh! Little Red Fox, none bolder,
Little Red Fox, creeping through the rocks,
With a fat goose o'er his shoulder.

The Little Red Fox is a family man,
By his own fireside reposing,
Till the cry of the hound shows his lair is found -
There's no time left for dozing.
''I'm off,'' says he, ''don't wait for me,
There's a long, long road before me,
But home I'll be in time for tea,
When I put this trial o'er me.''

chorus
Oh! Little Red Fox, Rex Fox, Red Fox,
Oh! Little Red Fox, none bolder,
Little Red Fox, stealing through the rocks,
And the tips of his two ears peeping.

The Little Red Fox is a hero bold,
And he rates his foes but meanly,
With a turn, twist and wind; they're left fat behind,
And he rests on the hill serenely.
''I like, '' says he, ''the breeze from the sea,
And the view up here is glorious,''
And sweet from below comes the merry 'Tally-ho'
And the hounds' melodious chorus.

chorus
Oh! Little Red Fox, Rex Fox, Red Fox,
Oh! Little Red Fox, none bolder,
Little Red Fox, flying o'er the rocks,
And his brush through the keen air sweeping.

The Little Red Fox is a gallant knight,
When the hour of stress has found him,
He crouches at the feet of the beauty of the meet,
While yelping foes surround him.
''Fair maid,'' sys he, ''were it not for thee,
some sport I'd show them daily,
But my brush I yield to the fairest of the field,
And I die at her dear feet gaily.''

chorus
Oh! Little Red Fox, Rex Fox, Red Fox,
Oh! Little Red Fox, none bolder,
Little Red Fox, taken 'mong the rocks,
For the love of two bright eyes dying.