Teddy Bears' Picnic
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"The Teddy Bears' Picnic" is a song written by John Walter Bratton in 1907, with lyrics added in 1932 by prolific songwriter Jimmy Kennedy, and is still a popular tune recorded by several artists and appearing in many children's recordings. One of the main themes is strongly reminiscent of the celebrated Robert Browne Hall March "Death or Glory" composed 12 years earlier.
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[edit] Uses in media
The song was recorded in the United Kingdom in 1932 by Henry Hall and His Orchestra EMI SH 172, with Val Rosing singing. The Hall rendition is perhaps the best-known in the UK and was featured in the Dennis Potter drama The Singing Detective. The song has since been recorded by several singers including Bing Crosby, Frank DeVol, Rosemary Clooney, Dave Van Ronk, Jerry Garcia, John Inman, Trout Fishing in America, and Anne Murray.
The piece was also popular as a theme song or background music in various films and programs. The instrumental version appears briefly in the musical score to accompany Buster Keaton's silent film The General. It was also frequently used as background music in Looney Tunes.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s it was used as the theme song for the Big Jon and Sparkie radio program, a children's show presented on weekdays and Saturday mornings. This version used was performed by organist Ethel Smith. The Saturday Show was later named "No School Today".
The song features prominently in Peter Greenaway's film A Zed & Two Noughts, and is sung by characters in the film.
The song is also featured in the CGI movie Open Season where Boog's teddy bear plays the melody when its string is pulled, and the words are recited by various character throughout the film.
The song appears briefly in the film version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
The song is featured in the third episode of The Young Ones, titled "Boring". When the roommates are away at the pub, various inanimate objects in the flat come to life. The song plays as a young girl enters the flat and tastes all three bowls of food that sit on the table.
The song serves as the theme song for the Commodore 64 game The Hunchback, by Ocean, and for the BBC Micro game Nemesis by Micro Power. It's also used in the C64 version of Friday the 13th as well.
In November 2005 a commercial for the Xbox game console featured the Henry Hall/Val Rosing version as the primary soundtrack.
In an episode of The Simpsons (Burns_Verkaufen_der_Kraftwerk), Bart recites part of the lyrics in Moe's bar.
In the documentary movie Streetwise (1984) performed by Baby Gramps.
In the computer game King's Quest III, the song plays when the player encounters the Three Bears.
In the 1971 recording of Procol Harum live at Beat Workshop the beginning of the song can be heard during the closing credits.
In a season one episode of The Kids in the Hall, a father explains the story of the picnic to his skeptical son while tucking him into bed.
It is used in the Soldier of Fortune, Inc episode "Collateral Damage".
In the "Souless" episode of the tv show Angel Angelus sings parts of it while locked in his cage.
The Strapping Young Lad song "Satan's Ice Cream Truck" also features this tune.
The song is used as background music in Dad's Army episode "The Big Parade", in which the platoon are attempting to capture a goat to use as a mascot.
In 2008 the song was used in a beer commercial.
[edit] Use by BBC Radio Engineers
The 1932 Henry Hall recording was used for more than 30 years, by BBC audio engineers (up until the early 1960s) to test and calibrate audio equipment. Originally chosen because of its especially good recording quality & the large tonal range of the music: making ideal for checking frequency response of audio equipment. BBC Engineering even had special vinyl pressings made, to reduce any surface noise.
Possibly last played at the end of the final transmission from the old Regional transmitters at Washford in the early 1980's ?
[edit] Other uses of title
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Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (November 2008) |
- A "teddy bears' picnic" is also a term used for a party intended for young children which involves a picnic and to which the children are invited to bring their teddy bears. Teddy bears' picnics may be held as a form of birthday party, or by primary schools or elementary schools or other organized children's groups.
- The Teddy Bear's Picnic is an annual event in June in St. John's, Newfoundland, in which children, adults and teddy bears alike join children's entertainer Terry Reilly "The Teddy Bear Man" for an afternoon of singing and fun.
- The Teddy Bears' Picnic is also an Australian event in which money is raised for The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Australia.
- The Name of the song has also lent its title to the Harry Shearer film Teddy Bears' Picnic
- A version of "The Teddy Bears Picnic" was recorded on a 78RPM by William "Billy" Costello in the voice of Popeye the Sailor (backed with "Lets All Sing Like The Birdies Sing")
- The Teddy Bears Picnic is an annual summer event held at Mill Green Museum and Mill
[edit] Lyrics
The lyrics as sung in the Henry Hall 1932 rendition vary slightly from the sources listed below.
A precise transcription of the lyrics from the Henry Hall 1932 rendition are given here:
If you go down in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.
For ev'ry bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
Ev'ry teddy bear who's been good
Is sure of a treat today.
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.
Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
That's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.
Picnic time for teddy bears
The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout;
They never have any cares;
At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,
Will take them home to bed,
Because they're tired little teddy bears.
If you go down in the woods today
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today
But safer to stay at home.
For ev'ry bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
