A storytelling song with interactive gestures as scouts act out an encounter with a bear.
This is a Repeat and Answer Song.
Printable Music
Recordings
Lyrics
Scouts repeat the leader after every line, and then everyone sings all four lines of the verse together before singing the next verse.
The other day,
I met a bear,
Out in the woods,
away out there.
He looked at me,
I looked at him,
He sized up me,
I sized up him.
He says to me,
‘Why don’t you run?’
‘Cause I see you ain’t,
got any gun.’
And so I ran,
away from there,
But right behind
me was that bear.
Ahead of me,
I saw a tree,
A great big tree,
Oh golly gee.
The lowest branch
was ten feet up,
I’d have to jump
and trust my luck.
And so I jumped
into the air,
But I missed that branch
on the way up there.
Now don’t you fret,
and don’t you frown,
I caught that branch
on the way back down.
That’s all there is,
there ain’t no more,
Unless I meet
that bear once more.
–
Variations
Polar Bear
The other day
I saw a bear
A big white bear
I had to stare.
He stared right back
And seemed to grin.
His long white fangs
Hung to his chin.
He moved toward me
Upon four paws.
And those four paws
Held six-inch claws.
I couldn’t move.
My feet were froze,
As I saw steam
Shoot from his nose.
But I was safe
Because I knew,
This polar bear
Was at the zoo.
Cutest Bear
The cutest bear
I ever saw.
Was in the road
with a sandwich in his paw.
I asked him if
he’d pose for me.
He said he would
for a nominal fee.
I walked right up
and looked at him.
He opened his mouth
and shoved me in.
Now here I sit
inside this Bear.
I need some HELP
History
The melody is based on the Swedish folk tune “Viljen I veta huru bönderna göra” (Do you want to know how the farmers do). It was traditionally a pantomime game where children acted out different tasks, similar to “The Mulberry Bush.”
In 1907, educator Mari R. Hofer adapted the melody into the “How D’ye Do My Partner” version we know today. She stripped away the complex “farmer” pantomime and turned it into a simple lesson on etiquette (bowing and handshaking).
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For More Fun Ideas and Plans
Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)
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Click Here -> To see information References:
Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.
- “I Met a Bear – Lyrics.” Scoutsongs.com, 2025, https://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/imetabear.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- “I Met a Bear Camping Song Lyrics Midi.” Campingdude.com, 2025, https://www.campingdude.com/content/song/i_met_a_bear-37.asp. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- “The Other Day I Met a Bear | Nursery Rhymes.” All Nursery Rhymes, Nov. 2020, https://allnurseryrhymes.com/the-other-day-i-met-a-bear/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
- Thompson, Beth. “The Other Day I Met a Bear Beth’s Notes Songs & Resources.” Beth’s Notes Songs & Resources, 21 Nov. 2016, https://www.bethsnotesplus.com/2016/11/the-other-day-i-met-a-bear.html. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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