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 don’t get multiple requests for “Waltzing With Bears”. This loveable song has been a Saturday Light Brigade favorite for many years and we thought you’d 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 we’re 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).
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(This web page updated 8/3/03; 10/22/06)