Preacher and the Bear
Traditional Folk Song
Recorded by Frank McKinnon

LYRICS

Preacher went out a-huntin’. It was on one Sunday morn’. It was against his religion, but he took his gun along. He shot himself some mighty fine quail, and one little measly hare. Then, on his way to return home, he met a great big, grizzly bear.

The bear got down, in the middle of the road, on all fours, like a great big toad. He looked that preacher right square in the eyes. The preacher looked at him and said bye bye. He started down the road. He began to run. After that preacher the bear did come. He ran and he ran ‘til he spotted a tree, and said up on that limb is the place for me. The preacher reached up, and grabbed the limb. The bear came right on after him. The preacher looked up into the sky and began to shout:

Oh, Lord, you delivered Danny from the lion’s den, also, Jonah from the belly of a well, and them three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, so the Good Book do declare. Lord, if you can’t help me, for goodness sake, don’t you help that bear.

Just about then, the limb let go, and the preacher came tumblin’ down. I saw him get his razor out before he hit the ground. They hit the ground with an aweful bang. It was a terrible sight; the preacher and the bear, the razor and the hair cuttin' left and right. They rolled around on the ground. First, he was up and then he was down. Then, the bear let out an awful moan. It looked like the preacher was a-holdin’ on. He said I’m mortified, get out of here alive, the good book I will abide. I’ll never sin on Sabbath Day. And Sunday comin', I'm gonna pray and pray. Then, to the heavens, he did glance, and said good Lord, give me just one more chance. Then, his suspenders gave away, and knocked that bear ten feet away.

Oh, Lord, you delivered Danny from the lion’s den, also, Jonah from the belly of a well, and them three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, so the Good Book do declare. Lord, if you can’t help me, for goodness sake, don’t you help that bear.

He said, Lord, if you can’t helm me, for goodness sake don’t you help that bear.

MP3 Copy of Studio Recording
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[MP3 Copy of Studio Recording]

Frank McKinnon:
Guitar
Vocal

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