The other day
I met a bear
A great big bear
Away out there.

He looked at me
I looked at him
He sized up me
I sized up him

He said to me
Why don’t you run?
I see you ain’t
Got any gun.

I said to him
That’s a good idea
Come on now feet
Let’s up and flee

And so I ran
Away from there
And right behind
Me was that bear

In front of me
There was this tree
A great big tree
Oh, Glory be!

The lowest branch
Was ten feet up
I had to jump
And trust my luck

And so I jumped
Into the air
I missed that branch
Away up there

Now don’t you fret
Nor don’t you frown
‘cause I caught that branch
On my way down.

That’s all there is
There ain’t no more
Unless I meet
That bear once more.