The Bear Song

I've looked all over for this and finally had to do it myself.

This song was a cult/humour favourite of the early 80's.

All I know is 'Uncle Smokey' is suppose to hail from Saskatchewan.

Somewhere along the way I found the name 'Larry Clark' but I've

never been able to verify it.

It's a simple, fun song for around the campfire with kids.

Chorus

Oh boy, do I love bears, you can bet your life that I do,

there ain't nothin' anywhere like a big, black bear

as long as he's a mile away from you!

Well the first time I went campin'

just a knapsack on my back

I hiked ten miles in to the bush

with a buddy by the name of Jack.

And old Jack, he was an expert

He'd been campin' for a whole lot of years

So all we took was some fishin' gear,

a skillet and a dozen beers.

Well the day went great, went fishin' on the lake

and we sure had a barrel of fun.

About ten that night, just a little bit tight

frying fillets in the setting sun.

Found a patch of ground,

and laid our sleeping bags down

and we crawled in for the night.

Woke up about three, staring down at me,

was a shadow in the pale moonlight...

(NO CHORD) (THUMP 3 TIMES)

It was a bear!

D

Great big mother of a bear!

I was up in a flash, I did the ten mile dash

and I never, ever went back there!

Chorus

Well the next time I went campin'

Took my brand new, water-proof tent

to a campground full of people

about the nicest place I ever went

Had a cooler full of steaks and things

and another one full of beer

had plenty to eat had plenty to drink

I could have stayed there for a year

About two o'clock in the afternoon

I strolled down to the lake

I met a girl named Jan with a deep brown tan

oh boy that was a break

By ten that night we were snuggled up nice

and the tent was zipped up tight

I woke up about three, staring down at me,

was a shadow in the pale moonlight...

There was a great big hole

in my brand new tent...

It was a bear! Great big mother of a bear!

I was up in a flash, I did the hundred mile dash

and I never, ever went back there!

Chorus

Well the last time I went campin'

I was invited by a friend called Jake

to a great, big, bear-proof cabin

on a hill over looking a lake

We dad booze and girls and a fireplace

and music that could turn you on

We had everything that a man could need

except we didn't have an in-door john

Well late that night

my stomach didn't feel right

and I new that I had to go

Down the winding path

to the little out-house

about sixty yards or so

Well my knees were knockin'

but I just kept walkin'

and I made it to the place alright

When I finished my chore and opened the door

There was a shadow in the pale moonlight...

I didn't even have time to buckle my belt!

It was a bear! Great big mother of a bear!

Soon I was runnin' through the trees

with my pants around my knees

and I never, ever went back there!

Chorus

Chorus