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Bears fight song

According to the Chicago Bears press guide, the team fight song, "Bear Down, Chicago Bears," was introduced in 1941.

Its composer was listed as Jerry Downs, which was a pseudonym for Al Hoffman. In a long-lasting and varied musical career, Hoffman earned immortality for writing words and music to "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd 'A Baked a Cake" and "Mairzy Doats" among others.

Hoffman had little apparent connection to Chicago. He was born in Minsk, Russia in 1902. He grew up in Seatte after emigrating there with his family in 1908 and he moved to New York in the 1920s before starting a career as a music composer. Besides the aforementioned songs, he also wrote songs for Disney's original "Cinderella" cartoon, including "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes," "The Work Song" and "So This Is Love."

He died in 1960.

The lyrics to the Bears fight song:

Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
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 them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.

Related topic galleries: Music Industry, Music, Cinderella, Chicago Bears, Football

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