I've looked all over for this and finally had to do it myself.
This song was a cult/humour favourite of the early 80's.
All I know is 'Uncle Smokey' is suppose to hail from Saskatchewan.
Somewhere along the way I found the name 'Larry Clark' but I've
never been able to verify it.
It's a simple, fun song for around the campfire with kids.
Chorus
Oh boy, do I love bears, you can bet your life that I do,
there ain't nothin' anywhere like a big, black bear
as long as he's a mile away from you!
Well the first time I went campin'
just a knapsack on my back
I hiked ten miles in to the bush
with a buddy by the name of Jack.
And old Jack, he was an expert
He'd been campin' for a whole lot of years
So all we took was some fishin' gear,
a skillet and a dozen beers.
Well the day went great, went fishin' on the lake
and we sure had a barrel of fun.
About ten that night, just a little bit tight
frying fillets in the setting sun.
Found a patch of ground,
and laid our sleeping bags down
and we crawled in for the night.
Woke up about three, staring down at me,
was a shadow in the pale moonlight...
(NO CHORD) (THUMP 3 TIMES)
It was a bear!
D
Great big mother of a bear!
I was up in a flash, I did the ten mile dash
and I never, ever went back there!
Chorus
Well the next time I went campin'
Took my brand new, water-proof tent
to a campground full of people
about the nicest place I ever went
Had a cooler full of steaks and things
and another one full of beer
had plenty to eat had plenty to drink
I could have stayed there for a year
About two o'clock in the afternoon
I strolled down to the lake
I met a girl named Jan with a deep brown tan
oh boy that was a break
By ten that night we were snuggled up nice
and the tent was zipped up tight
I woke up about three, staring down at me,
was a shadow in the pale moonlight...
There was a great big hole
in my brand new tent...
It was a bear! Great big mother of a bear!
I was up in a flash, I did the hundred mile dash
and I never, ever went back there!
Chorus
Well the last time I went campin'
I was invited by a friend called Jake
to a great, big, bear-proof cabin
on a hill over looking a lake
We dad booze and girls and a fireplace
and music that could turn you on
We had everything that a man could need
except we didn't have an in-door john
Well late that night
my stomach didn't feel right
and I new that I had to go
Down the winding path
to the little out-house
about sixty yards or so
Well my knees were knockin'
but I just kept walkin'
and I made it to the place alright
When I finished my chore and opened the door
There was a shadow in the pale moonlight...
I didn't even have time to buckle my belt!
It was a bear! Great big mother of a bear!
Soon I was runnin' through the trees
with my pants around my knees
and I never, ever went back there!