Fox on the run
Tom T Hall Lyrics
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She walks through the corn leadin' down to the river
Her hair shone like gold in the hot mornin' sun
She took all the love that a poor boy could give her
And left me to die like a fox on the run
Like a fox, like a fox, like a fox on the run
Now everybody knows the reason for my fall
This woman tempted me and she took me for a ride
Like a lonely fox, boys, i need a place to hide
[Chorus]
Oh, we'll drink a glass of wine, boys, to purify our soul
We'll talk about the world and the friends we used to know
I see a string of girls who have put me on before
The game is nearly over and the hounds are at the door
[Chorus]
The song "Fox On The Run" by Tom T Hall tells a story of a man who falls in love with a woman who ultimately betrays him. The woman is described as walking through the corn down to the river with hair that shines like gold in the hot morning sun. The man loved her with all that he had and gave her everything he could, but she left him stranded and alone – "left me to die like a fox on the run". The metaphor of being left like a fox on the run describes the feeling of being hunted and trapped, just like a fox who is chased by hunters and dogs until it has nowhere to hide.
The singer knows that everyone understands why he fell, as he was tempted by the woman in paradise hall. The woman took him for a ride, leaving him feeling like a lonely fox in need of a hideout. The imagery of the string of girls putting him on before suggests that he has been used by women in the past, but this time it seems to have hurt him more than usual. In the end, the man longs for a glass of wine to purify his soul and talks about the friends he used to know, indicating he is trying to move on and forget about the woman who betrayed him.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks through the corn leadin' down to the river
She moves through the tall cornstalks, heading toward the stream
Her hair shone like gold in the hot mornin' sun
Her hair gleamed like the precious metal gold in the morning sun's heat
She took all the love that a poor boy could give her
She accepted all the affection a less wealthy guy could offer her
And left me to die like a fox on the run
Then she abandoned me to fend for myself, like a fox hunted and on the loose
Like a fox, like a fox, like a fox on the run
Comparable to a fleeing fox, escaping persecution and extinction.
Now everybody knows the reason for my fall
Everyone knows why I'm in this depressing situation
A woman tempted me down in paradise hall
In a place called "paradise hall," a lady seduced and lured me
This woman tempted me and she took me for a ride
That woman led me into an unpleasant or deceitful situation
Like a lonely fox, boys, I need a place to hide
As if I'm a solitary fox seeking shelter, I require a refuge, fellas
Oh, we'll drink a glass of wine, boys, to purify our soul
We'll share a cup of wine, guys, to flush our essence of impurities
We'll talk about the world and the friends we used to know
We'll chat about the planet and our past acquaintances
I see a string of girls who have put me on before
I spot a line of girls who've deceived me in the past
The game is nearly over and the hounds are at the door
The match is almost done, and the dogs are coming to take me away
Like a fox, like a fox, like a fox on the run
Just like a hunted fox on the run, I am!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN FRANCIS CONNOLLY, STEPHEN NORMAN PRIEST, MICHAEL THOMAS TUCKER, ANDREW SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CAROLUSPRIMA
@@HazzardTony Thank you. And as a songwriter my own self I confess to being a bit star struck.
Tom T was one of my best friends and paid you quite the compliment by recording this. As you know he recorded very few songs that he didn’t write.
I do think, however, that the definitive bluegrass version (though not the first bluegrass version, which many do not realize) was the Country Gentlemen cut circa 1971. After Charlie Waller sang that song it stayed sung.
Anyway I think I’m qualified to say that Rocky Top and Fox On the Run are the two most requested bluegrass songs ever.
Take care and good to see you’re still around. I’ve heard your name forever it seems and never dreamed I’d communicate with you. My heroes have always been songwriters.
Take care.
@reberlin
My pop played this song on so many stages throughout my life. Parkinson’s has stolen his ability and will eventually take him from this world. This song brings me back to better times with my pop.
@flowerchildsmile
I was blessed to have met Tom T.Hall twice in the seventies. He was such a deep and wise gentleman and so talented. I miss him. #RIP my friend.
@salvagemonster3612
I wish FM radio still had country music on it. Sad days
@HazzardTony
This version won me an award, for which many thanks. cheers Tony Hazzard
@folkchick1
Thanks for such a great song! I just heard it for the first time earlier this year. My buddy and I are learning it now. I love your chord progression from Am D C G! Take care!
@HazzardTony
@@folkchick1 Thanks for your appreciation, folkchick1! And good luck with learning it!
@CAROLUSPRIMA
So you’re that guy. You’ve caused me enormous grief. I was on the road with a bluegrass band for decades and had to do this song over and over and over. Requested almost every night and it wasn’t even a song I’d recorded.
But seriously you sure have quite the legacy if you’d never written anything else. That’s the sort of song that all songwriters dream of writing: a bonafide classic for all the ages. That song will be sung 200 years from now if civilization stands.
@HazzardTony
@@CAROLUSPRIMA Thank you, Carolvs. I do apologise for your grief. I hope it will be remembered after I'm gone.... Thank you, again.
@CAROLUSPRIMA
@@HazzardTony Thank you. And as a songwriter my own self I confess to being a bit star struck.
Tom T was one of my best friends and paid you quite the compliment by recording this. As you know he recorded very few songs that he didn’t write.
I do think, however, that the definitive bluegrass version (though not the first bluegrass version, which many do not realize) was the Country Gentlemen cut circa 1971. After Charlie Waller sang that song it stayed sung.
Anyway I think I’m qualified to say that Rocky Top and Fox On the Run are the two most requested bluegrass songs ever.
Take care and good to see you’re still around. I’ve heard your name forever it seems and never dreamed I’d communicate with you. My heroes have always been songwriters.
Take care.
@donhoward2313
Rest in peace, Tom. You were a great singer and songwriter and all the stories you told in your songs will stand the test of time.