Album: Running Bear (1959)

Charted: 1 1

License This Song 

• 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 Writer/s: J. P. RICHARDSON
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• Malcolm from EnglandTry Stiff Little Fingers version...northern Irish punk group...I think Tom O'Connor did a version too
• Janice L from NcNaomi from Fargo,Nd Bobby Bare recorded It I think. Maybe it was him?
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 18th 1960, "Running Bear" by Johnny Preston peaked at #1 (for 3 weeks); it had entered the chart on October 6th, 1959 and spent over a half-year on the Top 100 (27 weeks)...
  He had one other record, "Cradle of Love", to make the Top 10, it reached #7 (for 1 week) on May 2nd, 1960...
  The three weeks "Running Bear" was at #1 the three different records at #2 were not really 'bridesmaids', for each one also peaked at #1 ("El Paso" by Marty Robbins, "Why" by Frankie Avalon, and "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinning)...
  Sonny James covered "Running Bear" in 1969; it stayed on the Top 100 for two weeks, peaking at position #94...
  R.I.P. Mr. Preston, born John Preston Courville, (1939 - 2011) and Mr. James, born James Hugh Loden, will celebrate his 85th birthday this coming May 1st (2014).
• Naomi from Fargo, NdI heard a version of this song Running Bear. But it did not have the chanting in the back ground and the song might have been mistitled.
  I'm looking for a specific version of this classic J.P. Richardson song, NOT by Johnny Preston. Nor Sonny James, George Jones, Don Fardon or The Guess Who...
  
  This version has no chanting, and is done in a classic country style, with a serene mood and vocal.
  
  Anyone know of any other artists who have recorded this song?
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyFor some unknown reason; our local AM rock station in Utica, NY {WTLB} played a version by somebody named Smiley Wilson instead of Johnny Preston's. Also the theme of the song is very similar to Western movie star Rex Allen's 'Don't Go Near The Indains' record, it peaked at No. 17 in 1962...
• Marissa from Akron, OhI thought Running Bear was the most famous Native American streaker. Get it? (Feel free to groan.)
• Steve Dotstar from Los Angeles, Camy mother's and my stepdad's love theme for each other..he was running bear,and she was "little white dove"..go figure! lol
• Andy from Halesowen, West Midlands, United KingdomHow times change. Imagine someone writing this now, they would get instantly accused of being racist and "non-PC".
• J from Toronto, CanadaNot only did George Jones once cover this tune, he actually sang back up on the original recording!

More Songfacts:

Candle In The WindElton John

Marilyn Monroe is the subject of Elton John's "Candle In The Wind," but the song is really a look at how we react to celebrities who die young.

Twilight ZoneGolden Earring

"Twilight Zone" by Golden Earring was inspired by the Robert Ludlum novel The Bourne Identity, not by the TV show.

Livin' La Vida LocaRicky Martin

"Livin' La Vida Loca" is a Latin pop landmark, but "la vida loca" are the only Spanish words in the lyric - "mocha" is English.

SummertimeDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince is built on a sample of a Kool & The Gang instrumental from 1974 called "Summer Madness," which gets a shout in the line, "This is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness."

Hot n ColdKaty Perry

"Hot n Cold" by Katy Perry is about a real guy - an ex who would seem really interested at times but would then just disappear.

One DanceDrake

Drake's "One Dance" was the first ever song to rack up one billion streams on Spotify.

Editor's Picks

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?