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Is the song such as it is current in the otherwise bearless UK? -----Original Message----- >From: Patrick McManus <[log in to unmask]> >Sent: Jan 24, 2015 9:28 AM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: folklore question > >Mark Seems to be here cheers P > >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_Went_Over_the_Mountain_(song) > > >Possible origin[edit] >Deitsch folklorist Don Yoder postulates that the song may have its origins in Germanic traditions similar to Grundsaudaag, or Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day is known to have its roots in the behavior of badgers in Germany. In some German-speaking areas, however, the foxes or bears were seen as the weather prognosticators. When the behavior of the bear was considered, the belief was that the bear would come out of his lair to check whether he could see "over the mountain." If the weather were clear, the bear would put an end to hibernation and demolish his lair. If it rained or snowed, however, the bear would return to his lair for six more weeks.[2] > >Lyrics[edit] >The bear went over the mountain, >The bear went over the mountain, >The bear went over the mountain, >To see what he could see. >And all that he could see, >And all that he could see, >Was the other side of the mountain, >The other side of the mountain, >The other side of the mountain, >Was all that he could see. >The bear went over the river, 3× >To see what he could see. >And all that he could see, 2× >Was the other side of the river, >The other side of the river, 2× >Was all that he could see. >These are the lyrics for "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow": > >For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, 3× >Which nobody can deny. >Which nobody can deny, 2× >For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, 3× >And so say all of us. >[3] > >Alternate versions use "climbed over the mountain" in place of "went over the mountain" and "and what do you think he saw?" in place of "and all that he could see" or "to see what he could see." > >-----Original Message----- >From: British & Irish poets [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Weiss >Sent: 24 January 2015 01:56 >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: folklore question > >This came up in conversation with a friend. In reference to I forget what I said "the bear went over the mountain," to which she replied "and what do you think he saw." This is one of those endless songs used to distract children. The version I know goes > >The bear went over the mountain (repeat three time) and what do you think he did? >He climbed another mountain (repeat three times) and what do you think he did? > >When I've bothered to think about it I've always assumed that this was of US origin, but my friend wondered if it might be British or Irish. Any thoughts? > >Best, > >Mark