Ballad of the Bear

On the day so appointed
You all do proceed
Down to the faire grounds
Upon gallant steeds

All the flags fly aflutter
All the maidens do swoon
And swans swim in circles
Upon the lagoon

You look back at the hole
Still shrinking your ranks
For your brother’s protection
You give God your thanks

But just then from the forest
A figure appears
With a shield, three swords
And wielding two spears!

Who is this behemoth
Joining up at your side?
Your mind fills with fear
But your heart swells with pride

They wait there below you
Your opponents in battle
And the drums go boom
And the tambourines rattle

“We fight here today,”
Bellows the marshal
“To give thanks that no bears
To our country are partial.

We fight for our God
For goodness and glory
And no bear evermore
Shall sully our story

No child shall vanish
While playing in the wood
With these games I give you
A world bear-free for good!”

The crowd gives a roar
A stomp and a shout
The whistle is sounded
You all turn about