Going on a Bear Hunt is a 1989 best-selling book by children’s author, Michael Rosen which was written after being inspired by an American folk song. It has gained popularity in modern times and has been translated into many languages.
Michael Rosen was the 6th British Children’s Laureate and is famous for reciting children’s poetry. The book included lots of illustrations, but it also achieved popularity spoken aloud as a rhyme. The repetitive structure accompanied by gestures makes this an easy-to-learn rhyme that will appeal to children who enjoy acting things out.
Going on a Bear Hunt has become such a large part of popular culture that there are often events that reference it, such as guided walks where participants put teddy bears in their windows for children to spot. Lots of these books are now even sold with a plush teddy bear attached to them.
Going on a Bear Hunt Lyrics
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! It’s some long, wavy grass!
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go around it,
Got to go through it!
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! It’s a mushroom patch.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go around it,
Got to go through it!
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! It’s a wide river.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go through it,
Got to swim across it.
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! A deep, dark cave.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go through it,
Got to go in it.
Uh, oh! It’s dark in here.
I feel something,
It has lots of hair!
It has sharp teeth!
It’s a bear!
Hurry back through the river,
Back through the mushroom patch,
Back through the long grass
Run in the house and lock the door.
Phew! That was close!
I’m not afraid!
Going on a Bear Hunt Music Sheet
