Dave Van Ronk was a growling folk singer, who benignly dominated Greenwich Village in the 60s. He mostly played the East Coast due to his refusal to fly. His mode of travel was buses, trains, or a car driven by a young girlfriend. His bearish body hid a gentle heart, which he revealed any time he performed the classic TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC.

I couldn’t find any version of this song on Youtubes, but the Mayor of Greenwich Village certainly would have enjoyed the audience in the above photo.

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC

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.y

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.

To hear Dave Van Ronk’s version of this song, please go to this URL