Running Bear chords

by Johnny Preston

Song Key: Bb Major

Key Signature: 2 flats (Bb, Eb)

Piano Chords: Bb, Eb, C7, F7

Time Signature: 4/4 (♩)

Tempo: 120 bpm (Moderately)

Vocal Range: D4 - D5


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Guitar Chords in A major: A, D, B7, E7

Capo: 1st fret (to play along with the video in Bb Major)

Chord Chart Legend
A Major D Major B7 E7
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
A Major D Major B7 E7

Running Bear

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Please Note: Indian Chant - runs throughout the Intro and verses 
Intro: 4/4 | Chant/Drums |             |

          A
1. On the bank of the riv-er
                  D                    A
   Stood Run-ning Bear, young In-di-an brave
          A
   On the oth-er side of the riv-er
             B7            E7
   Stood his lovely Indian maid
           A
   Lit-tle White Dove was a-her name
          D                A
   Such a love-ly sight to see
             A
   But their tribes fought with each oth-er
            E7                A
   So their love could nev-er be 

                 D                  A
Chorus: Run-ning Bear loved Lit-tle White Dove
               E7              A
        With a love big as the sky
                 D                  A
        Run-ning Bear loved Lit-tle White Dove
               E7                  A
        With a love that could-n't die 

                A
2. He could-n't swim the rag-in' riv-er
             D              A
  'Cause the riv-er was too wide
                A
   He could-n't reach Lit-tle White Dove
            B7            E7
   Wait-ing on the oth-er side
          A
   In the moon-light he could see her
             D                  A
   Throw-ing kis-ses 'cross the waves
               A
   Her lit-tle heart was beat-ing fast-er
            E7            A
   Wait-ing there for her brave 

                 D                  A
Chorus: Run-ning Bear loved Lit-tle White Dove
               E7              A
        With a love big as the sky
                 D                  A
        Run-ning Bear loved Lit-tle White Dove
               E7                  A
        With a love that could-n't die 
        
            A
3. Run-ning Bear dove in the riv-er
           D                  A
   Lit-tle White Dove did the same
            A
   And they swam out to each oth-er
               B7                    E7
   Through the swirl-ing stream they came
            A
   As their hands touched and their lips met
               D                  A
   The rag-in' riv-er pulled them down
               A
   Now they'll al-ways be to-geth-er
           E7             A
   In that hap-py hunting ground   
 
                 D                  A
Chorus: Run-ning Bear loved Lit-tle White Dove
               E7              A
        With a love big as the sky
                 D                  A
        Run-ning Bear loved Lit-tle White Dove
               E7                  A
        With a love that could-n't die... 

Song Details:
  • Songwriter: J. P. Richardson (a.k.a. The Big Bopper)
  • Date: 1959
  • Lyrics Begin: On the bank of the river stood Running Bear, young Indian brave.
  • Artist: Johnny Preston -  American rock and roll singer
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