WALTZING
WITH BEARS SONG
(excerpts
from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure
to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material
is not in the public domain)
1)
Waltzing
with Bears is a very popular song in Pittsburgh, and is played almost every
week on Saturday Light Brigade, a local radio show. Hardly a week
goes by when we dont get multiple requests for Waltzing
With Bears. This loveable song has been a Saturday Light
Brigade favorite for many years and we thought youd enjoy
knowing more about it. This information is taken directly from
their website at
http://www.slbradio.com
The history of the song is somewhat controversial. Most trace
its origins to a Dr. Seuss composition called My
Uncle Terwilliger Waltzes with Bears (The
Cat in The Hat Songbook, Random House, 1967) with words
by Dr. Seuss and music by Eugene Poddany. Songwriter Dale Marxen
claims it is an original composition.
The version of Waltzing With Bears
usually played on the radio is sung by Nan Hoffman. It appears
on her Rise Like a Star album. The
album is not available in local stores, but is available by writing
to Nan at 9736 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051 or by calling
716/689-7252.
Other versions are on these albums:
-- Rosalie Sorrels, What Does It Mean To Love?, Green Linnet 2113
(1994)
-- Gordon Bok, Ann Mayo Muir, and Ed Trickett, First Fifteen Years,
Vol. 2, Folk Legacy 1004 (1994)
-- Kevin Roth, Daddysongs, Sony Kids Music 48889 (1992)
-- Tommy Makem, Rolling Home, Shanachie 52021 (1990)
-- Priscilla Herdman, Star Dreamer: Nightsongs & Lullabies,
Alcazam!1001 (1988)
Bookstores still carry The Cat in the Hat Songbook and the Carnegie
Library in Oakland had a Dr. Seuss record album featuring My Uncle
Terwilliger Waltzes With Bears with much the same tune and words
were used to!
2) It also turns up on Janice Buckner's album There
are Many Ways to Tell a Story (Moonlight Rose MR310-2,
cassette pre-release 1991, CD reissue 2001). This one's unusual
in that the album also has a karaoke version (!). Further details
should be up at
http://janicebuckner.com/
3) Mike Anderson has also recorded it.
http://www.dulcimerguy.com
4) The Midnight Special playlist (www.midnightspecial.org) includes
the prefered version in Chicago:
Lui Collins: Waltzing With Bears
(Dale Marxen, based on Dr. Suess) North
of Mars, Molly Gamblin CD1002
5) Sue Trainor: Golfing with Hares
(Marxen/Trainor) In a Closeup, no label (PO Box 412, Columbia,
MD 21045).
•••••
(This
web page updated 8/3/03; 10/22/06)