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Going on a Bear Hunt

Going on a Bear Hunt Illustration
Origin: USA
We're going on a bear hunt.
We're going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We're not scared.

Oh-oh! Grass!
Long wavy grass.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!
Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy!

Oh-oh! A river!
A deep cold river.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!
Splash splosh! Splash splosh!

Oh-oh! Mud!
Thick oozy mud.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!
Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch!

Oh-oh! A forest!
A big dark forest.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!
Stumble trip! Stumble trip!

Oh-oh! A snowstorm!
A swirling whirling snowstorm.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!
Hoooo woooo! Hoooo woooo!

Oh-oh! A cave!
A narrow gloomy cave.
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no! We've got to go through it!
Tiptoe! Tiptoe!
WHAT'S THAT?
One shiny wet nose!
Two big furry ears!
Two big goggly eyes!
IT'S A BEAR!
Quick! Back through the cave! Tiptoe! Tiptoe!
Back through the snowstorm! Hoooo woooo!
Back through the forest! Stumble trip!
Back through the mud! Squelch squerch!
Back through the river! Splash splosh!
Back through the grass! Swishy swashy!
Get to our front door.
Open the door.
Up the stairs.
Oh no! We forgot to shut the door.
Back downstairs.
Shut the door.
Back upstairs.
Into the bedroom.
Into bed.
Under the covers.
We're not going on a bear hunt again!

This is a popular action chant or folk song. It involves the audience repeating lines and performing actions. It was popularized by Michael Rosen's 1989 book.