The History of 'Bear Down, Chicago Bears'

Anyone who has ever enjoyed a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field knows how important it is to know the words to the team's fight song. Introduced in 1941, "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" has been a staple at all home games for more than 70 years.

Written by Al Hoffman, who was an active songwriter in the 1930’s, 40’s & 50’s, composed music under the pseudonym Jerry Downs.

In addition to the Bears theme song, Hoffman also wrote the hit song Mairzy Doats, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, The Work Song and So This is Love and If I Knew You Were Comin’, I’d’ve Baked a Cake.”

Hoffman had no real connection to the city of Chicago. He grew up in Seattle after he was born in Russia in 1902. Although he had no connection to the city then, his famous song lives on in Chicago.

Various Sources

The compact disk is a Collector’s Edition production of two songs. “It’s a Great Big Town” and the featured, “Bear Down Chicago Bears”, produced by the late Ed McCaskey and the Chicago Bears.