Hi, Voyager -

I really like this version and I'm thinking of singing it at tomorrow's Mudcat Worldwide Singaround, but I'm having trouble making parts of it work.

The tune I was thinking of using is very common, and it works pretty well with your text - but there are places where it doesn't quite work. I'm going to post your lyrics with comments, hoping you can comment or add corrections. Here's the melody I usually sing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRSxLRCqvF0

THE FOX

The old fox stepped out one moonshining night
Stood upon his hind feet just about right
I'll have some meat for my supper this night
Before I leave this townee (townee, townee)
I'll have some meat for my supper this night
Before I leave this townee

He went on down to the blacksmith's gate,
There he saw an old black drake
Come on along old drake and go along with me
You're the finest old fellow in this townee
(REPEAT AS PER FIRST VERSE)

The old drake sat still and the word cried NO ("and the word cried NO" -is this the proper expression? It seems awkward to me.)
Just sat still 'cause he didn't want to go
If you eat no meat 'til you eat meat of mine
You'll eat no meat in the townee
(REPEAT)

He went on down by the farmer's gate
There he saw an old grey goose
Come along old goose and go with me
You're the finest old fellow in the townee
(REPEAT)

The old goose sat still and the word cried NO (same: "word cried NO" is not an expression familiar to me)
Just sat still 'cause he didn't want to go
If you eat no meat 'til you eat meat of mine
You'll eat no meat in the townee
(REPEAT)

He went on home to his den
Out come the young ones 8-9-10
O father, O father when you again (seems to be a word or two missing here)
You've had no luck in this townee
(REPEAT)

He went on back on his back track (feels awkward)
He took the old grey goose by the neck
Her wing went flip-flop over his back
Her feet went dingle dangle down-ee
(REPEAT)

Old mother tipped up in the bed
Out of the window she poked her head
Old man, old man the grey goose is gone
I thought I heard her go quack, quack-eo
(REPEAT)

The old man jumped up in his shirtail
And with toe dogs on the trail (and with TWO? dogs??)
They caught the fox at the end of the trail
And that was the end of the fox-e-o
(REPEAT)