Bear Down Chicago Bears

If you come to Chicago or its environs around this time of the year, there is the possibility that you just might hear this song, especially if you get around a bar or sports gathering.  And, even though things did not go well for us last night, it is still one great (and easy to sing) fight song.  We lost 10-3.

It is none other than "Bear Down, Chicago Bears."

The fight song was introduced in 1941 and written by Jerry Downs, who was actually Al Hoffman, who also wrote  many other songs, including "Mairzy Doats."  This was during the early stages of Da Bears' "Monsters of the Midway" era.    It was also the year Da Bears defeated  the Washington Redskins in a resounding 73-0 in the league championship game.

Hoffman, however, has little connection with Chicago or the Bears.  He was born in Russia in 1902 and his family emigrated to the U.S. in 1908 and lived in Seattle until he moved to New York City in the 1920s and got into song writing.  He wrote songs for Disney's original "Cinderella" cartoon, including "Bibbidi, Bobbidi Boo" and "The Work Song."

At home games, a version recorded in 1993 by Bill Archer and the Big Bear Band is played every time Da Bears score.

When our old Usual Suspects are together at the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, we sing this song whenever the Bears win, which hasn't been often lately until last year.

So Bear Down Chicago Bears.  --RoadBear


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