“Running Bear” is a classic song written by J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, in 1958. The song tells the tragic love story of Running Bear, a Native American man, and Little White Dove, a Native American girl from a rival tribe.
The storyline revolves around the societal and familial disapproval of their love, ultimately leading to a poignant ending. The original recording of “Running Bear” was performed by Johnny Preston, an American pop singer. Richardson was a friend of Preston and offered “Running Bear” to him after hearing him perform in a club.
Preston recorded the song at the Gold Star Studios in Houston, Texas, a few months after Richardson’s death in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. The 1959 recording featured background vocals by George Jones and the session’s producer Bill Hall, who provided the “Indian chanting” of “uga-uga” during the three verses,
as well as the “Indian war cries” at the start and end of the record. The song was released in 1959 and quickly climbed the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its success was not limited to the U.S., as it also achieved significant popularity in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
The song’s catchy melody, evocative lyrics, and the tragic narrative struck a chord with listeners, contributing to its widespread appeal. The use of Native American imagery and the romantic storyline added a unique and memorable dimension to “Running Bear.”
Covers
This hit song was covered by many artists including Mac Wiseman (1960), Les Baxter (1960), Pat Boone (1961), George Jones (1962), Bob Wills (1969), Sonny James and The Southern Gentleman (1969), Harlow Wilcox and the “Oakies” (1970), Louis ‘Country & Western’ Armstrong (1970),
The Youngbloods (1972), The Guess Who (1972), Tom Jones (1973), Don Fardon (1974), Danny Davis and The Nashville Brass (1975), and Ray Stevens (2012).
Running Bear written by J. P. Richardson
On the banks of the river stood runnin' bear, young Indian brave
On the other side of the river stood his lovely Indian maid
Little white dove was-a her name, such a lovely sight to see
But their tribes fought with each other so their love could never be
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die
He couldn't swim the raging river 'cause the river was too wide
He couldn't reach 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 there for her brave
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die
Runnin' bear dove in the water, little white dove did the same
And they swam out to each other through the swirling stream they came
As their hands touched and their lips met, the ragin' river pulled them down
Now they'll always be together in that happy hunting ground
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love big as the sky
Runnin' bear loved little white dove with a love that couldn't die
Further Reading
Sources
- SongFacts “Running Bear” https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/johnny-preston/running-bear
- Wikipedia “Running Bear” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Bear
- SecondHandSongs “Running Bear” https://secondhandsongs.com/work/28261/all
