[Verse 1] Elisha climbed the road to Bethel, The sun was hanging in the sky. A band of children gathered round him, And called out as he passed them by: “Go on up, you bald-headed fellow! Go on up, you shiny head!” They laughed and mocked the man of God As he proceeded to turn beet red. [Verse 2] He turned around and looked upon them, His expression stern and cold. Then he called upon the Lord of Heaven, As the Good Book's story's told. And out of the surrounding timber, With a fury none could quell, Two huge bears came a-running, And they raised a little hell. [Chorus] Oh, the Lord works in mysterious ways, His judgment swift and sure. There's a lesson in the ancient days That we may never quite be sure. Mind your manners, watch your language, And be careful what you say. There are bears in your Bible, boys, And they don't come out to play. [Verse 3] Now forty-two kids were mauled that day, The Scriptures make it plain. The bears went back into the woods, And no one called them back again. We don't know if the kids were cousins, We don't know if they were friends. We just know that two angry bears Brought the argument to an end. [Verse 4] Did the children learn a lesson? Did the parents understand? Did they post a little warning At the edge of bear-filled land? Did the prophet reach his destination With his dignity restored? Did the bears receive a commendation And an eternal heavenly reward? [Chorus] Oh, the Lord works in mysterious ways, His judgment swift and sure. There's a lesson in the ancient days That we may never quite be sure. Mind your manners, watch your language, And be careful what you say. There are bears in your Bible, boys, And they don't come out to play. [Verse 5] So when you read your Holy book, Give this passage special care. You can question many things in life, But don't insult a prophet's lack of hair. For the road to Bethel is paved with wisdom, Though the wisdom's often askew. And if a bald man takes offense, my friend, You know what not to do. [Outro — solemn, almost spoken] Two bears went back into the forest. Elisha went along his way. And somewhere in the book of Kings Forty-two kids had a very bad day.
