I'm Afraid of Obscure Things

I know its not just me - remember the The Teddy Bear's Picnic - that song, rhyme, poem or cult chant that for some reason our preschool teachers insisted on singing joyously to us, ignoring the seriously twisted undertones.

(If you have no idea what I'm talking about check out this particularly bizarre version - sung by 4 of the most famous people in US History)

Now I'm not hear to do a detailed analysis on what this strange little warble was actually intended for. Or on the sinister undertones of nursery rhyme on a whole (indicative of our warped culture of instilling fear in children at an early age. Apparently.) Its up to you to think that out. Or not.

But anyway, I am just hear to say that this scares the BEJESUS (yes the bejesus) out of me. And this is one of the few nursery rhymes that I remember being scared of even as child.

It was mentioned in an article I was just reading - and the only thing I could remember about it was "There was something really creepy about that poem."

Anyway for your reading pleasure - here it is.

Teddy Bear Picnic

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.