Congleton Bear

(John Tams)



The Wakes coming on and the bear he took ill

We tried him with potion, with brandy and pill

He died in his sleep at the eve of the Wakes

The cause, it was said, was strong ale and sweet cakes



The cheeses of Cheshire are famed, but beware

Of stories they tell of the Congleton Bear

Congleton Bear, Congleton Bear

They sold the Church Bible to buy a new bear



He'd served the town well and he's served town true

To lie him in state was the least they could do

The old bear was dead, a successor they'd need

A new bear was wanted, and that at great speed

Now a parson is useful in times of great need

And imbibed with strong porter he quickly agreed

The parson, his Bible he gave then and there

We sold it in Nantwich to buy a new bear.



The new bear, a she-bear, was toast of the town

To music and laughter she danced up and down

So loudly the cheering would waken the dead

It caused the old bear for to rise from his bed



Pills, potion and brandy induced a deep trance

And refreshed by the music he began for to dance

He danced down the road causing many a gaze

Word quickly spread that the old bear was raised

He rolled his dark eye as he spied the she-bear

And with an embrace they danced jigs pair-and-pair

The cheeses of Cheshire are famed but beware

Of stories they tell of the Congleton Bear.



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