Teddy Bear Picnic

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words by Jimmy Kennedy in 1932, music by John W. Bratton in1907

If you go down to the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Ev'ry 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.

If you go down to the woods today
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today
But safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry 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 care;

At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,
Will take them home to bed,
Because they're tired little teddy bears.

KEY Cm
Dm Am Dm A7
Dm A7 Dm
Eb Bb7 Db Bb7
Eb Bb7 Eb
Fm7 Edim Fm Bb7
Eb
Ab Eb Ab Eb Bb7 Eb

chorus:
Eb
Eb Edim Fm7 Bb7
C# Bb7 Edim Bb7
Eb Edim
Eb
Eb
Eb Ab
Ab A
Edim
G7 Fm Bb7
Eb Bb7-Eb-Bb7-Eb

Background: Jimmy Kennedy (1902-1984) from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, was a world-famous songwriter. He composed such songs as "Red Sails in the Sunset," inspired by a sunset over Portstewart strand in Co. Antrim, and "Teddy Bear's Picnic." The music was originally called the "Teddy Bear Two Step". It was written by American composer J.W. Bratton. Irishman Jimmy Kennedy later added the lyrics that have made this song famous.

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Teddy Bear's Picnic

Lyrics: Jimmy Kennedy
Music: John W Bratton
Played occasionally by Jerry Garcia as a "tuning" jam between songs with the Grateful Dead. Jerry played it live a couple of times with David Grisman (with lyrics),and recorded it on "Not For Kids Only." It was also played a few times by Nicky Hopkins with the Jerry Garcia Band in 1975.
Also played by Bob Weir with The Dead as a short instrumental.

If you go down to the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise
If you go down to the woods today
You 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
Every teddy bear whose 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
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 mommies and daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little teddy bears
If you go down in the woods today
You 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 together because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Jerry Garcia Recordings
Date / Album / Recorded By
1993 / Not For Kids Only / Garcia/Grisman

Origins
John W Bratton wrote the music in the early 1900s, originally as an instrumental called "Teddy Bear Two Step." The current words were added by Jimmy Kennedy in the 1930s. (thanks to Jeff Hayes and Matt Schofield for alerting me to this).

Teddy Bears' Picnic

Not For Kids Only

(Traditional) http://www.rukind.com/music/gdtunes/Tddybear.htm

Last Updated 08/30/96

General Rules On Chord Charts

Am E7 Am E7

If you go down to the woods today

Am E7 Am G

You're sure of a big surprise

C G C G

If you go down to the woods today

C G C C7

You better go in disguise

F F/E G

For every bear that ever there was

C F C A7

Will gather there for certain because,

F C F C G C E7

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Every teddy bear whose 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.

Picnic time for teddy bears

The little teddy bears

Eb7

Are having a lovely time today

Eb7

Watch them, catch them unawares

And see them picnic, on their holiday

See them gaily gad about

They love, to play and shout

Db7

They never have any cares

Db* Ddim7

At six o'clock their mommies, and

Ab G Gb F

Daddies will take them home to bed

Bb Eb7 Ab E7

Because they're, tired little teddy bears.

Db* Ddim7

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If you go down in the woods today

You 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 together because

Today's the day the teddy bears

Have their picnic.

Today's the day the teddy bears

Have their picnic.

This File contains merely an interpretation of the represented musical piece.

It is not intended to replace any commercially available publishing, nor is it

guaranteed to represent an exact transcription of any commercially or otherwise released

piece.

Ed Bick's Tab Archive, 1997