There are many versions of this song. They all emanate from the old Adirondack story "Allen's Bear Fight In Keene" from 1840. Until this evening I always called it "Campbell's Bear Fight In Keene". One of my band mates corrected my recollection with the information on "Allen's Bearfight".

With the Too Tall String Band (tootallstringband.com) I've recorded the ragtime version, on our CD "While We Are Together". Jim Kweskin did this version on his solo album. I've also heard Bill Smith, the Adirondack storyteller do this version as well.

Apparently the bear fight happened on the Cascade Road going up from Keene to Cascade Lakes, near where the Bark Eater Lodge sign is located today. It's a cute story, and there are many takes on who won the bear fight, but it is a catchy tune. I've been singing this song for 35 years and I never get tired of it.

The words I know are:

The preacher went out a huntin'
It was on one Sunday morn'
Knew it was against his religion,
but he brought his gun along
Bagged him a couple of very fine quail
And one little measly hare,
But on his way returning home
He met a great big grizz-illy bear.

Well the bear walked out in the middle of the road
Walked straight at the preacher you see.
Preacher got so excited
Climbed up a great big tree.

Bear crawled around and around that tree
The preacher climbed out on a limb.
Cast his eyes to the heavenly skies
And these the words he said to him.

Oh Lord! Didn't you deliver Daniel
From the lion's den.
Also Jonah, from the belly of the whale and then
The Hebrew children from the fiery furnace
The Good Book do declare.

Oh Lord, Oh Lord if you can't help me
For goodness sake don't you help that bear.

Well the preacher sat out upon that limb
and he had himself a dreadful night.
He said oh Lord if you don't help me
there's gonna be an awful fight.

Right about then the limb it broke
and the preacher came tumbling down.
You oughta seen the way he tried to fly
Before he hit the ground.

Well the preacher ran, the bear he ran
as fast as they could go.
The preacher got home and ran inside
and slammed his big front door.
The bear crawled around and around that house
just a growlin at the wind.

Preacher crawled in bed and covered up his head
and these the words he said again,


Oh Lord! Didn't you deliver Daniel
From the lion's den.
Also Jonah, from the belly of the whale and then
The Hebrew children from the fiery furnace
The Good Book do declare.

Oh Lord, Oh Lord if you can't help me
For goodness sake don't you help that bear.