“Grizzly Bear (Grizzely Bear)”
Description
"Oh that grizzely, grizzely, grizzely bear, Tell me who was that grizzely bear. Oh Jack o' Diamonds was that grizzely bear." The singer describes the grizzely bear (and how his family tries to avoid and/or hunt it)
Notes
Courlander suggests the "Grizzly Bear" was a convict whose appearance was so wild that he resembled a bear. As most if not all versions seem to come from prisoners, this is at least possible. But I've never seen a version that makes much sense. - RBW
Recordings
- Texas state farm prisoners, "Grizzly Bear" (on NPCWork, FMUSA)
References
- Courlander-NFM, p. 106, "Grizzly Bear" (1 text)
- Silber-FSWB, p. 402, "Grizzly Bear" (1 text)
- Roud #16673
- BI, CNFM106A