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Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris)
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST Date: 01 Jan 11 - 11:38 PM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgjENj4h25E |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Glenn Date: 28 Apr 10 - 09:45 AM As young boys in the early 1950', my cousin and I listened to Phil Harris' Elmer and the Bear played on a grank-up Victrola with a bamboo needle until we nearly wore the groves off the disk. After "hiding" for more than 50 years, the original 78 resurfaced when my cousin was sorting through some of his mothers stuff and we now have digitized copies of both Elmer and the Bear and The Mountaineer and the Jaberwock. The find included a couple of Spike Jones originals and a Gene Autry disk with his famous recording of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. These too are now digitized for posterity.. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,eric Date: 26 Feb 10 - 01:24 PM My grandfather used to recite the lyrics to this as well as THE MOUNTAINEER AND THE JABBERWOCK, he didn't know who wrote it, and he never sang it so I was never sure if it was a song or a poem. It is interesting to see so many other people that have a history with this piece. It has been good to find and I have listened to a couple of the recordings the best is probably the link posted by Bully, the Dr. Demento version is much harder to hear and understand. As for the mountaineer and the jabberwock I now have it on 45 on the reverse of "the thing" |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Dean Durrant Date: 05 May 09 - 12:04 AM This has been a tradition of my family ( My Mothers family to Go Easter camping in the Southern Utah deserts somewhere different almost each year for 50 years I learned this from my Uncle Bill Stringham I am now 56 years old and I say this At my Durrant Family reunions and also at my wife's Messick reunions but I will always defer to my Uncle Bill Stringham at the Stringham reunions. Here is the way I learned it: Well, Elmer Jones awoke at dawn And put his huntin' britches on And looked up at the shotgun on the wall. He made his mind up then and there To bag himself a hunk of bear. At hunting he had plenty on the ball. He milked the cow and slopped the hogs Kissed his wife and called the dogs, Picked up his gun and started on his quest. He crossed the creek and hit the trees, Threw back his head and sniffed the breeze, Let out a yell and pounded on his chest. CHORUS: Here comes Elmer. Elmer's got his gun. Here comes Elmer. Better run, bear, run. Well, he hunted all the morning through, And not a bear came into view, And Elmer's mind was on the kitchen range; For he was sick as sick could be Of lamb and chicken fricassee. He craved a hunk of bear meat for a change. Poor Elmer's mind was in a fog. He paused to sit down on a log, And tried to get his faculties in the groove. He heard a noise, and standing there Beside him was a grizzly bear. He figured it was time to make a move. CHORUS He grabbed his gun and turned around, shot But missed. The bear just stood his ground, And Elmer said, "It's either me or thou." That gun just wouldn't go. He knew that someone had to go. He said, "Farewell, I'm leaving as of now." Now Elmer's shoulders sprouted wings. His feet developed inner springs. To linger longer he was disinclined. He flew so fast through muck and mire, His ankles set his socks afire, And still that bear kept coming on behind. CHORUS A deer with antlers eight feet wide Got in the way of Elmer's stride, As both of them went heading through the brush, And Elmer said, "Now listen, son: If that's as fast as you can run, Move over, 'cause I'm really in a rush." That bear kept gaining inch by inch, And finally reached out for the clinch Just as Elmer spied the fence around his place. He jumped the fence and landed hard, Leaped sixty feet across the yard, And slammed the kitchen door in bruin's face. CHORUS Well, the bear was trying to get inside, And Elmer sought a place to hide, And Mrs. Jones began to pull her hair. She said, "This fuss has got to stop. Why don't you let the matter drop?" He said, "Why don't you tell that to the bear?" She said, "Now listen, goon. How come you think you're Daniel Boone, Whose appetite on bear meat used to thrive?" He said, "I'm sure you're well aware That Dan'el always killed his bear, But, honey, I done brought this baby home alive!" CHORUS |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: Jim Dixon Date: 11 Apr 09 - 12:39 AM THE PREACHER AND THE BEAR is already in our DT here, and it has previously been posted in discussion threads here, here, here, and here. At least one of those versions contains the "baptizin'" verse. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Date: 09 Apr 09 - 06:19 PM This is the "other" bear song recorded by Phil Harris and Jerry Reed, among many others and in different variations. I first heard it sung by Randy Sparks (who later formed "The New Christy Minstrels") at a hotel night club in Fresno, CA, in about 1959-60. Randy was doing his one-man act as a traveling troubadour at the time. He was (and is) a very entertaining guy, as I recall. THE PREACHER AND THE BEAR As recorded by Phil Harris Writer: Arzonia (Joe Arizona) [Bb] Now a preacher went out walkin' Was [Eb] on one Sunday [Bb] morn' It was against his religion But he [C] took his gun a-[F] long He [Bb] shot himself some mighty fine quail And [Eb] one little "measly" [Bb] hare But [Eb] on his way [Bb] returnin' home He met a [F] great big grizzly [Bb] bear; NARRATION: (In [Bb]) Well, the bear got down in the middle of the road On all fours like a great big toad And looked that preacher right square in the eye And the preacher looked at him and said: "Bye-bye." Started down the road and took out to run The bear right after that preacher did come Run and they run for about a mile Then they both sat down and rested awhile The preacher got up - started again The bear he started out with more vim They ran and they ran til he spotted a tree Said: "Up on the limb is the place for me." The bear got close - made a grab for him Preacher leaps up and he made the limb Pulled himself up and turns about Cast his eyes to the skies and [F] he did [Bb] shout; Refrain: "[Bb] Oh, Lawd, you delivered [Eb] Daniel from the lion's [Bb] den Also delivered Jonah from the [C] belly of the whale and [F] then The [Bb] Hebrew children from the fiery furnace So the [Eb] good book do [Bb] declare Yes! [Eb] Lord, if you can't [Bb] help me, For goodness [F] sake don't help that [Bb] bear." NARRATION: Just about then the limb let go And the preacher came tumblin' down Reached in his pocket, pulled his razor out Just before he hit the ground He hit the ground with an awful bang It was a terrible sight The preacher and the bear, with a razor in his hair Just a-cuttin' left and right Well, they rolled around on the ground The preacher was up and then he was down The bear let out an awful moan It looked like the preacher was holdin' his own "Lord, if I get out of here alive That Good Book I will abide I'll never sin on Sabbath day And Sunday come, I'll pray and pray." To the heavens, he did glance Said; "Lord, just gimme one more chance." Then his suspenders gave away And he knocked that bear ten feet away Then the preacher got up and made a bound To the tree where he'd be safe and sound Pulled himself up and turned about Cast his eyes to the skies and he did shout: Refrain: ............................................................ In one version, the last talking verse is slightly changed and is followed by a slightly modified refrain: Verse (partial) Then, they rolled into the river, T'was three times in and out. He cast his eyes to the skies above and then he began to shout: Refrain: "[Bb] Oh, Lawd, you delivered [Eb] Daniel from the lion's [Bb] den Also delivered Jonah from the [C] belly of the whale and [F] then And Oh, Lord, it may not seem like much from away up there; But the hardest job I ever done was baptizin' that bear. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST Date: 09 Apr 09 - 12:06 AM I posted 2 years ago on this thread. And now thanks to BULLY I have a recording to give my father. I am also planning on doing my own recording of it as a gift for fathers day. Thank you so much. -Jonathan |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,guest: kelly in ca. Date: 31 Dec 08 - 01:30 AM Thanks to all of you for your similar versions. I heard it as a little girl by my step-dad and it has been a wonderful tradition to see who could get Bill (my step-dad) to sing it for us. Elmer the Bear has made so many happy memories for our family and I thank you for the lyrics so we will always be able to share our step-dad Bill and his wry sense of humor. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: Bullseye Music Date: 05 Nov 08 - 12:47 PM Elmer and the Bear was written (copyrighted) in 1949 by my husband's grandfather, Johnny Lange and his co-writer, Hy Heath. Johnny was a prolific writer; his music appeared in over 70 films and his song, Mule Train, was a megahit for Frankie Laine and the subject of a film created by Walt Disney. There is a fun (and fairly accurate) amateur version of Elmer and the Bear on YouTube, though the song is credited to Phil Harris, not Johnny Lange and Hy Heath. I'm sure that the person who posted it on YouTube associates the song with Phil Harris and does not know who wrote it. Johnny had a longstanding professional relationship with Phil Harris and it's likely that Harris recorded the song. I am looking in the archives to see if there is an old cassette available. I am in the process of putting much more information on my website (www.bulls-eyemusic.com) and will post the lyrics to all songs as I can get to it. It's great to know people are still talking about this old song! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,kathy Date: 07 Aug 08 - 08:20 PM It's already been said, but it bears repeating - Thank you to everyone who posted such valuable information on Elmer and the Bear. It is much appreciated to those of us who have much sentimental value attached to it. I heard it as a poem and reading it here again brought me a lot of happiness. Thanks again! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST Date: 18 Jun 08 - 05:16 PM I have, somewhere in my stored "items of interest," the original album by Phil Harris which contains "The Preacher and the Bear." Oddly, that was not the #1 song on the album. The one which got all the airplay was "The Thing." "The Persian Kitty" was also on this LP, along with a number of the other "talking blues" style things for which Phil Harris was known. "That's What I Like About the South" was something of a theme song for him. Most younger people know his voice and may never have seen the man himself. "The Jungle Book" film by Disney contains the song "The Bare Necessities," for instance. He and his wife, the actress Alice Faye, were staples on radio in the 30's, 40's and 50's. He spent several years as a regular on the old Jack Benny Show. He, Bing Crosby and another golfing buddy, whose name escapes me, introduced "Three Fingers" reposado 100% agave tequila to the US years ago, one of the first really premium tequilas imported from Mexico. And, according to an uncle who once worked with him, he was a really nice guy. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Kelly B Date: 18 Jun 08 - 02:31 PM Thanks everyone for posting all the info on 'Elmer & The Bear'! My dad used to recite this to us during car trips, and it is a fond memory indeed. He recited the lyrics that are the second set posted in this thread. I am thrilled to have a copy of the lyrics, although I could almost remember all of them, since I heard it so much as a child. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: Arkie Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:26 PM I ran across a website that listed the Dr. Demento shows in which Phil Harris recording of Elmer and the Bear were played. Here they are if anyone has access to recording of those shows. 06-17-79, #79-24 01-24-99, #99-04 10-04-81, #81-40 11-14-99, #99-46 12-26-82, #82-52 11-05-00, #00-45 12-09-84, #84-50 11-04-01, #01-44 10-23-88, #88-43 11-03-02, #02-44 05-05-91, #91-18 11-07-04, #04-45 11-07-93, #93-45 11-06-05, #05-45 01-19-97, #97-03 11-05-06, #06-45 06-15-97, #97-24 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Chuck Ford Date: 25 Mar 08 - 05:59 PM I rember hearing Arkie the Arkansas Woodchopper perform this song on the WLS National Barn Dance in the late 1940s. I don't know if Arkie ever recorded it. He had a few variations on the lyrics from what is shown here but it was the same song. If anyone knows of a recording done by Arkie I would like to get a copy. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: Charley Noble Date: 05 Oct 07 - 08:24 PM Bully- Thanks for the link. So if the bear shits in the woods, is he Catholic? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: Arkie Date: 05 Oct 07 - 07:31 PM Bully, thanks for posting that information. I have looked over Phil Harris radio shows and wondered if Elmer and the Bear was not in there somewhere. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Bully Date: 04 Oct 07 - 09:39 PM You can listen to a episode of the Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show where the late great Phil sings the Elmer and the Bear song at this page: http://www.otr.net/?p=phaf It's in show #13: "Willie is Engaged to Miss O'Connor.' |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Carolyn Date: 14 Jun 07 - 11:57 PM Thanks so much for the 2nd set of lyrics that Ann posted. These are much closer to the ones my mom sang to us when we were kids than the first set. She would entertain us on long car rides with this song and many others. She performed "Elmer and the Bear" when she was a child in the early 1950's at a talent show at the local theater between movies showings on Saturday afternoons. She even won some free movie tickets!! She passed away in January 2006 and this song will always be one of my fondest memories. I wanted to have her record some of the songs she sang for us, but didn't get the chance, so coming across these lyrics was truly wonderful! Glad to see so many others enjoyed this song, too. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Anonymous Date: 19 Apr 07 - 02:06 AM I made an error in the previous post. "Elmer and the Bear" was co-written by Hy Heath and Johnny Lange. The name Johnny Marks was incorrect. Phil Harris did record it on a 78 record about 1949. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Guest, anonymous Date: 19 Apr 07 - 01:35 AM "Elmer and the Bear" was co-written by Hy Heath and I believe Johnny Marks sometime in the late 1940's. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: ELMER AND THE BEAR From: GUEST,Ann Mason Date: 28 Mar 07 - 01:58 AM It has been a tradition to go camping at Easter time with all of my mother's family for 55+ years and when I was a young girl my Uncle Bill Stringham would recite "Elmer and the Bear" and Aunt Norma (Reynolds, now Christensen) would play her ukulele and we would sing a chorus between each verse. The words he used were a bit different in a few places. He said he got the words from an Anderson who lived in Manti, Utah. (I wondered if he was related to Mike.) Today it is still a favorite at Easter with my children and now my grandchildren will still hear Uncle Bill repeating the words, (although a few more of us have learned it) and Aunt Norma still plays her ukulele and is joined by the guitar, at our campfire sing-alongs. You can compare the word differences: Elmer Jones awoke at dawn And put his huntin' britches on And looked up at his shotgun on the wall. He made his mind up then and there To bag himself a hunk of bear. At hunting he had plenty on the ball. He milked the cow and slopped the hog, Kissed his wife and called the dog, Picked up his gun and started on his quest. He crossed the creek and hit the trees, Threw back his head and sniffed the breeze, Let out a yell and pounded on his chest. CHORUS: Here comes Elmer. Elmer's got his gun. Here comes Elmer. Better run, bear, run. Well, he hunted all the morning through, And not a bear came into view, And Elmer's mind was on the kitchen range; For he was sick as sick could be Of lamb and chicken fricassee. He craved a hunk of bear meat for a change. Poor Elmer's mind was in a fog. He paused to sit down on a log, And tried to get his faculties in the groove. He heard a noise, and standing there Beside him was a grizzly bear. He figured it was time to make his move. CHORUS He grabbed his gun and turned around, But missed. The bear just stood his ground, And Elmer said, "It's either me or thou." That gun just wouldn't go. He knew that someone had to go. He said, "Farewell, I'm leaving as of now." Now Elmer's shoulders sprouted wings. His feet developed inner springs. To linger longer he was disinclined. He flew so fast through muck and mire, His ankles set his socks afire, And still that bear kept coming on behind. CHORUS A deer with antlers eight feet wide Got in the way of Elmer's stride, As both of them went heading through the brush, And Elmer said, "Now listen, son: If that's as fast as you can run, Move over, 'cause I'm really in a rush." That bear kept gaining inch by inch, And finally reached out for the clinch Just as Elmer spied the fence around his place. He jumped the fence and landed hard, Leaped sixty feet across the yard, And slammed the kitchen door in bruin's face. CHORUS Well, the bear was trying to get inside, And Elmer sought a place to hide, And Mrs. Jones began to pull her hair. She said, "This fuss has got to stop. Why don't you let the matter drop?" He said, "Why don't you tell that to the bear?" She said, "Now listen, goon. How come you think you're Daniel Boone, Whose appetite on bear meat used to thrive?" He said, "I'm sure you're well aware That Dan'el always killed his bear, But, honey, I done brought this baby home alive!" CHORUS
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Carol cooley Date: 23 Mar 07 - 06:20 PM Moon is my uncle and i'm very proud of him. I was raised listening to him singing and picking. When my mama ,his sister was very sick he sent her a tape of songs till he could come see her. Elmer and the Bear was on that tape and i have a copy. That song and others he sang will always be special to me. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Susie Date: 10 Mar 07 - 06:43 PM I got the tape directly from Deborrah and Moon. You might try any of the music shops at Mountain View-McSpadden's Dulcimer shop might be able to help you. It was a cassette tape and it's been probably 15-20 years ago. S |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear (from Phil Harris) From: GUEST,Jonny Date: 21 Feb 07 - 03:03 AM The story is such...My father was a boy and he had this record called "Elmer and the Bear" he loved so much and played endlessly. He brought it in to school for show and tell and it was a huge hit. On his way home running to tell his mom, the record slipped from its sleeve and shattered. I bought a copy of "the preacher and the bear but it seems that that is not the same. Hes 65 now and i would do anything to get my hands on a copy of that origional record. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,jonny Date: 28 Dec 06 - 04:29 PM where can i get a copy of this record. I want to give it to my father it would mean a lot to him. Any help would be much appreciated! -thanks jonny |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,Guest, Susie Date: 03 Nov 06 - 03:22 PM Don't know why Deb didn't mention that Moon's version of Elmer and the Bear was on their tape "Over the Garden Wall". Lots of good songs on this one; don't know if it's still in print. S |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: Joe_F Date: 06 Oct 06 - 09:13 PM And always remember, you don't have to outrun the bear so long as you can outrun your friends. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,EJK Date: 06 Oct 06 - 09:08 PM THANKS A MILLION BEEN LOOKING FOR THESE LYRICS SINCE 1953 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: Jim Dixon Date: 30 Sep 06 - 11:50 AM John Alcorn: If you want information about a different song than the one named in the title of this thread, it's best to start a new thread. (Assuming there isn't already a thread about THE GENERAL'S HORSE. I checked. I couldn't find one.) Then more people will notice your request. p.s. I did a search of my usual sources, and I couldn't find a mention of any song called THE GENERAL'S HORSE. Are you sure you have the title right? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,John Alcorn Date: 28 Sep 06 - 05:50 PM Trying to locate the lyrics to "The Generals Horse" by Phil Harris recorded in the late 40's on a 78 RPM record (RCA or maybe Deca. Any information on the lyrics or where to find a copy of this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,JP Date: 19 Aug 06 - 10:35 AM Please allow me the give you my heart felt thanks for the lyrics to Elmer and the Bear. My father use to tell us this same story when we were children too. He passes away and we were left without the lyrics so we can pass this story on to our children and grandchildren. My brother and sisters will be beside themselves when they see this. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,atyn Date: 11 Aug 06 - 11:38 PM It was good to run across "Elmer and the Bear." Not familiar with any of the aforementioned versions. My dad use to quote this poem to us when we were children and he died when I was 10 was I don't remember the exact prose. I do know that it was a bit different and he used the word. I have been trying to find the words (halfheartedly) for a long time. Simply wanted to say thanks. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,Dale Date: 21 Jul 06 - 04:40 PM I was just about to say the same thing about the Phil Harris recording. Whether or not it has the same tune as the Mullins/Anderson version is a good question, given what Deb (Mullins} Carbone said on 19 Jun 01 - 09:05 PM about how Comer "Moon" Mullins came to learn it. I suppose that it is possible that the Ed Meyers mentioned there could have heard it from Phil Harris and forgotten it. As usual, I never think to ask Moon about this when I see him, most recently just a couple of weeks ago. Mike Anderson was also in town just a few months ago. I guess I am going to have to start carrying a card with a list of questions intended for certain people I may run into. There is a version by Roland Heinrich on Bear Family's album of bear songs celebrating their 30 year anniversary. I have no idea what that one sounds like either. A search of the usual sources for sound clips came up empty. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: Jim Dixon Date: 21 Jul 06 - 01:09 PM Phil Harris did indeed record ELMER AND THE BEAR, as RCA Victor 78 rpm disk #20-3393, probably in 1949. On the flip side was THE MOUNTAINEER AND THE JABBERWOCK. This information is from The Online 78 rpm Discographical Project. Phil Harris also recorded THE PREACHER AND THE BEAR, RCA Victor 20-2143. Lots of other people did too; I don't know whether Harris was first. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: Scoville Date: 21 Jul 06 - 09:58 AM Mike Anderson; "Elmer" was on the Morning Town Ride album. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: Scoville Date: 21 Jul 06 - 09:39 AM Oh, I'm so glad to see this mentioned! We have the Mike Anderson recording (saw him at a park festival in Ely, Minnesota, in 1989) and it's a lot of fun, and good clawhammer banjo, too. His liner notes say "anonymous", but I didn't know there was an earlier version so maybe if somebody has a recording of that, it would have a composer's name. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,VH Date: 20 Jul 06 - 11:05 PM who wrote "Elmer and the Bear"? |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,Verne Garrison Date: 02 Apr 05 - 09:25 AM We used to do this song at student union Univ of Ill in 1951-52..Ozzie Osborne (Toluca, IL) did the lyrics; very similar to these, except he would chime in between verses with..."Here comes Elmer, Elmer's got his gun, run bear run." that is until he spots the bear and bear starts to chase him...something like: "Elmer grabbed his gun and turned around, but Mr bear just held his ground. He ran so fast thru muck and mire.....to the end. Seems... "while the bear was trying to get inside, Elmer finding a place to hide; and Mrs Jones commenced to pull her hair. She said listen goon; what makes you think you are Daniel Boone, who's appetite on bear meat used to thrive....... .....baby home alive.... |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: Snuffy Date: 20 Jun 01 - 08:31 AM You can forget about "The Bears have Got my Daddy" - turns out the song was about a prisoner-of-war in South Africa and was called "The Boers have Got my Daddy" |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: toadfrog Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:53 PM There are references to "The Bears Have Got My Daddy," under the rubric "Men of Harlech," apparently on the bulletin board of the Musical Box Society of Great Britain I cannot figure out how properly to access that site and find the goodies; maybe someone nearer to Great Britain can. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,nosweatsoap@yahoo Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:24 PM One more thing about Elmer and the Bear. In the line that reads "bag himself a hunk of bear" The next line is "at huntin' he had plenty on the ball" Deb (Mullins) Carbone |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,nosweatsoap@yahoo.com Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:05 PM Hey Dale, This is Deb (Mullins) Carbone (Moon's ex wife)and I can tell you a little about the origins of Elmer and the Bear. It was harvested by Moon from Ed Myers of Mt. Sterling, Ohio and HE got it from a poem in an old thirties or forties newspapers and it had no name in the article. Moon put it to music. I just happened to be checking out Mud Cat because a friend of mine said I was mentioned and saw the references. I sang Loch Tay and Who will sing for me many years ago.Moon and I did music for several years until our divorce. My band after that was the Dixie Darlin's. I do Living History now with my husband Frank Carbone. We have the No Sweat Soap Factory.I still play and sing and about to come out with a new childrens tape that includes the Kirkcudbright Centipede,also mentioned previously. bye,deb |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,Arkie Date: 31 Dec 00 - 01:36 AM I missed this the first time around, so I am happy to see it revived. Dale has already provided the pertinent information about Comer "Moon" Mullins who is also a National Thumbpicking Guitar Champion and who has a number of recordings available from the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, AR. I think Elmer is on one of those recordings, but will have to check. Everyone whom I heard do the song got it from Comer. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: Dale Rose Date: 30 Dec 00 - 04:54 PM Nope. I'll look for it. Might even take me less than three years, but do remember not to hold your breath! |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 30 Dec 00 - 04:52 PM I don't suppose anyone reading this has any ideas about a song called "The Bears have Got my Daddy" dating back to the 1890s. I had a thread about that recently, but it ran into the ground with no results. I found the tune on a tape of an old music box, but no words, and noone seems to have heard of it. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: Dale Rose Date: 30 Dec 00 - 04:51 PM Well, looks like three years have slipped away somehow, and I have seen Moon an uncountable number of times, but I never once thought to ask him about the song!. Like I said, I am sure that I have a home recording of Moon doing the song SOMEWHERE. If you are equipped to handle RA files, I will send Mike Anderson's version to you. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: GUEST,salnral@aol.com Date: 30 Dec 00 - 04:03 PM Hello: My husband has been looking for the lyrics to Elmer and the Bear for several months now. He thought that Phil Harris sang the song. We got the copy from Dale Rose, 03-Nov-1997. We wondered if you ran across any others and if you found the music anyplace????? The lyrics he remembers were just a little different, but am sure from the same song. So, it might have been from a different singer. Thanks if you can help us.....salnral@aol.com |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: Mug44 Date: 04 Nov 97 - 12:27 AM Dale Thanks so much. I have never met anyone in all my travels who has ever even heard of that song. It brings back many fond memories of my childhood and I thank you genuinely for that. Mug44 |
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Subject: Lyr Add: ELMER AND THE BEAR From: Dale Rose Date: 03 Nov 97 - 10:02 PM Yes, it is a totally different song. It is frequently done in this area. It is done in more or less talking blues style, so I will not attempt to put it in verses, just narrative.
Now Elmer Jones woke at dawn,
Now he ate his breakfast, slopped the hogs,
Now he hunted all the morning through, Bear stew! (Laugh)
Now Elmer's mind was in a fog,
So Elmer's shoulders sprouted wings, Yeah!
Now a deer with antlers eight feet wide,
Now the bear was gainin' inch by inch,
Now the bear was tryin' to get inside
She said, "Now listen, you big goon,
This is transcribed from a recording by Mike Anderson from Central Illinois. He attributes it to Comer "Moon" Mullins of Mountain View, Arkansas. I have heard Moon do it many times, but he makes no claim to authorship. I probably have a personal recording of it somewhere, but I am not even going to make the attempt to try and find his version! Next time I see him, I will ask him what his source was. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics: Elmer and the Bear From: Mug44 Date: 03 Nov 97 - 09:14 PM Thanks for the response. I have heard "The Preacher and the Bear" but that is not the song I am looking for. The song I want starts off as follows... Elmer Jones arose at dawn Put his hunting britches on Then looked up at his shot-gun on the wall. It was a record that my parents had on 78 rpm. when I was very young. |
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