Mule and Bear Fight + 

We have a favorite old mule, + 

A big load he can easy pull; + 

He is a quiet and gentle beast, + 

No trouble with him in the least. + 

Once we left him in the wood, + 

And he got into surly mood, + 

For a big bear did round him fool + 

’Till kicked by hind feet of our mule. + 

One caulk it struck in its neck + 

Enough the joint of it to break; + 

The bear was quite stunned with the blow, + 

And soon lay helpless in the snow. + 

I unhitched mule from the sleigh. + 

So as to give the beast fair play; + 

I knew the bear would soon come round, + 

And that our mule would stand his ground. + 

The bear now raised upon his haunches, + 

But mule a blow at him he launches; + 

With both hind feet to lay him low, + 

But the bear he dodged the blow. + 

The bear then threw his arms round mule, + 

And he strove him down to pull, + 

But all in vain, the bear with feet, + 

He could not with the mule compete. + 

For he gave bear no time to pause, + 

But with his hoofs he broke his jaws, + 

And the great bear he soon laid low, + 

His blood all scatter’d o’er the snow. + 

I truly think the mule takes pride, + 

Each winter o’er the large bear’s hide; + 

He looks at it often in the sleigh, + 

Then merry he doth trot away. + 