'Bear Down' wasn't author's pride or joy
"Bear Down, Chicago Bears" -- quite possibly the best football fight song ever -- was composed in 1941 by a Tin Pan Alley veteran who had little connection with Chicago.
The Bears commissioned Al Hoffman to write the song after the team won the NFL championship in 1940.
The Bears commissioned Al Hoffman to write the song after the team won the NFL championship in 1940.
Born in Minsk, Russia, Hoffman later had a part in composing the monster-hit novelty song "Mairzy Doats," as well as other popular tunes including "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and "Papa Loves Mambo," according to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Born in Minsk, Russia, Hoffman later had a part in composing the monster-hit novelty song "Mairzy Doats," as well as other popular tunes including "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and "Papa Loves Mambo," according to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
But it seems Hoffman, who died in New York in 1960, wasn't that proud of his paean to the Bears. The song was one of the few he wrote under a pseudonym: Jerry Downs.
Here are the lyrics:
Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;< i>Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let 'em know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.