Teddy Bear's Picnic

If you go down to the woods today, you'd better not go alone.......I remember (back in the 50's) when my little sister had a record of The Teddy Bear's Picnic, and she would play it over and over again.  The tune was catchy, and the words brought forth an imagined picnic of teddy bears playing hide and seek, and having a grand time in the woods.  Do you know the song?  Below are the full words of the song, and a picture of some bears having a picnic on an old baby quilt.  You know it's an old song with these lyrics "see them gaily gad about"..

If you go down to the woods today 
You're sure of a big surprise. 
If you go down to 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 
Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic. 


If you go down to 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. 


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 care; 
At six o'clock their mummies and daddies, 
Will take them home to bed, 
‘Cause they're tired little teddy bears.

 words by Jimmy Kennedy in 1932, music by John W. Bratton in1907

The quilt is one my mother made for our son as a crib quilt.  She made quilts similar to this one for everyone who had a baby.  If it was a little girl, she made a doll quilt also.  This one was made for Erik in the early 1970's, and measures 29 x 34 inches.

Flannel backed and very thin (or maybe non-existent) batting.  It's machine stitched and hand tied.  As you can see, it's been much loved and used, as it should be.  Have fun at your picnics this summer, but I caution you to stay out of the woods on the day the teddy bear's have their picnic!