[Verse 1]

There’s a sleeping giant up in the mountains high
Been resting peaceful underneath the northern sky
But some folks think they’re clever, think they’re smart
Want to stir up trouble, want to play that part
Well I’m here to tell you what my daddy said to me
Some lessons draw blood before you see

[Chorus]

Don’t poke the bear, don’t test his roar
He’ll leave more than claw marks at your door
You play with fire, you best beware
Some things bite back—don’t poke the bear

[Verse 2]

That old bear’s got claws like railroad ties
And a temper that can burn through the longest nights
He’s been minding his business, quiet and still
Till some fool jabs a stick just to test his will
Now the thunder’s rolling and the ground shakes hard
When you wake up something that ain’t off guard

[Chorus]

Don’t poke the bear, don’t test his roar
He’ll leave more than claw marks at your door
You play with fire, you best beware
Some things bite back—don’t poke the bear

[Guitar Solo – 12 bars]

[Verse 3]

I seen Big Jake who thought he owned this town
Six-foot-four and never backing down
Till he met that logger from up north
One wrong word and Jake got knocked to the floor
When the dust settled, Jake was on the ground
That quiet man just turned and walked around

[Bridge]

Quiet ones bite, storms roll near
Trouble don’t knock, it just appears
Smartest move you’ll ever make
Is walking past for your own sake

[Verse 4]

So when you see that mountain, rough and mean
And you hear that low growl, dark and lean
Remember what the old folks always used to say
Some battles just ain’t worth fighting anyway
There’s wisdom in knowing when to stand your ground
And when to slip away without a sound

[Chorus]

Don’t poke the bear, don’t test his roar
He’ll leave more than claw marks at your door
You play with fire, you best beware
Some things bite back—don’t poke the bear

[Outro]

Don’t poke the bear, no don’t poke the bear
Some sleeping dogs are better left lying there
Don’t poke the bear, don’t test that stare
Just let him be… just let him be…
Don’t poke the bear, no don’t poke the bear