Running Bear
by J.P. Richardson

Thanks to Sue Wichers, Mary Reicks, Jocelyne Pasman, Jeannie Craddoc and Jand for helping to piece together this song!

On the banks of the river, stood Running Bear, young Indian brave.
On the other side of the river stood a lovely Indian maid.
Little White Dove was her name, such a lovely sight to see.
But their tribes fought with each other, so their love could never be.

Chorus:

Oh, Running Bear loves Little White Dove with a love big as the sky.
Oh, Running Bear loves Little White Dove with a love that'll never die.
They couldn't swim the raging river, because the river was too wide.
He couldn't reach his Little White Dove waiting on the other side.
In the moonlight he could see her blowing kisses cross the waves.
Her little heart was beating faster waiting for her brave.

Running Bear dived in the water, Little White Dove did the same.
As they swam towards each other through the swirling waves they came.
As their hands touched and their lips met, the raging river pulled them down.
Now they'll always be together in that happy hunting ground.

Actions:

Oh: hands in 'O' over head
Running: hands pound on knees
Bear: make bear claws with hands
Loves: hug yourself
Little White Dove: make bird with hands
Big as the sky: raise arms overhead and open in arc to sides
Never dies: shake head and finger
River: water motions with hands
Indian Brave: 2 fingers as feathers behind head
Lovely Maid: hand sliding down hair
Sight to see: point to eyes
Tribes fought together: hit hands together alternating
Never be: head and finger shaking no
Dove into the water: hands together like diving motion
Swam: swimming motion
Eyes met: point to eyes
Lips touched: fingers to lips
Swirling water pulled them down: make circles like whirlpool with finger
Always be together: hug yourself
Happy hunting ground: raise arms over head and open in arc to sides