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Teddy Bear's Picnic
1907 
USA Lyrics
If you go down in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise!
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic.
Picnic time for Teddy Bears,
The little Teddy Bears are having a lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily gad about.
They love to play and shout;
They never have any cares.
At six o'clock their Mummies and Daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little Teddy Bears.
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home!
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic.
(Chorus repeats)
Every Teddy Bear who's been good
Is sure of a treat today.
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.
Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
'Cause that's the way the Teddy Bears have their picnic.
(Chorus repeats)
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise!
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic.
Picnic time for Teddy Bears,
The little Teddy Bears are having a lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily gad about.
They love to play and shout;
They never have any cares.
At six o'clock their Mummies and Daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little Teddy Bears.
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home!
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic.
(Chorus repeats)
Every Teddy Bear who's been good
Is sure of a treat today.
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.
Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
'Cause that's the way the Teddy Bears have their picnic.
(Chorus repeats)
History and Meaning
The "Teddy Bear's Picnic" began its life without any bears at all. In 1907, American composer John Walter Bratton wrote an instrumental piece, a jaunty tune he simply titled "The Teddy Bear Two Step". For a quarter of a century, it remained just that, a pleasant melody without words.
In 1932, the Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy got hold of it and was inspired to create a more colourful narrative. He imagined a secret world where teddy bears gather for a secret woodland party, away from the eyes of their owners. Kennedy's lyrics transformed Bratton's tune into the children's classic we know today, forever associating the music with the image of cuddly friends enjoying sandwiches and lemonade beneath the trees.