Lyrics and Music

Contact NIEHS, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services
Children's Privacy and Other Disclaimers

Mind Over Matter

If you know of a midi for this song, please let us know. But first, familiarize yourself with our Privacy Policies and other Disclaimers, which restrict our use of any information we receive from you. And be sure to ask permission from your parent or guardian! You should always get permission from your parents or guardian before providing any information through the internet or by e-mail.

(Words and music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman)

Mind over matter
Will make the Pooh unfatter.
It's a fine thing to go feasting,
But feasting doesn't pay,
For you have feasted and increased
In a most obeastly way!

From food you must refrain,
Or a wedged bear you'll remain,
Though it will be a strain
For a bear of little brain.
Think shrinkage! Think thinage!
Don't think of honey and spinach!

Mind over matter
Will make the Pooh unfatter.
Mind over matter
Will make the Pooh unfatter!
Dream shrinkage! Dream thinage!
Don't dream of honey and spinach!
It takes mind over matter
To make a Pooh unfatter.

After many days of fasting,
All hopes were high for Pooh.
Then lighting flashed and thunder crashed.
The rain fell from the blue.
They knew if Pooh got wet
Their plan would be upset.
He'd swell up like a sponge,
And down their hopes would plunge.

So they mopped him unsopped him.
They put a roof atop him,
But the splash and the splatter
Was making Pooh bear fatter.
Despite their good intentions,
Pooh doubled his demensions!

(Part II)

When the sun came out,
the sky cleared up
and the bear of little thinkage
began to dry,
and by and by
showed a high
amount of shrinkage.

Hooray for you!
Hooray for me!
Hooray, hooray,
The Pooh will soon be free!
Now the time has come for proving
What the diet did for Pooh.

And since we pledged
He'd be unwedged,
That's what we're going to do.
He'll be pulled and he'll be tugged,
and eventually unplugged.
We'll have a tug of war
To open Rabbit's door.

Think heavage, think towage
And out the Pooh will goage.
For mind over matter
Has made the Pooh unfatter.

Heave ho!
Heave ho!
Heave heave heave heave heave!

Contact NIEHS (NIH, DHHS)
Children's Privacy and Other Disclaimers
NIEHS Sing-Along Index
NIEHS Kids Page Main Index

Links Disclaimer and Caution
When you encounter this image or the words "Non-NIEHS Link", it means that by following that link you will be leaving the NIEHS website. NIEHS is NOT responsible for non-NIEHS websites. Sites maintained by outside organizations may be changed without notice to NIEHS. Therefore, unless the link is to another U.S. government sponsored webpage, endorsement by NIEHS is not implied, and NIEHS does not guarantee their continuing safe content or privacy policies. So please ask your parent or guardian before continuing to any non-NIEHS website, and especially before providing any information via the internet or by e-mail. When last reviewed, the websites linked from the NIEHS Kids' Pages seemed suitable for you to visit, but that may have changed; if you have any difficulties or concerns with any linked materials, please let us know.

Links Disclaimer and Caution

When you encounter this image link to a non-NIEHS site

or the words "Non-NIEHS Link", it means that by following that link you will be leaving the NIEHS website. NIEHS is NOT responsible for non-NIEHS websites. Sites maintained by outside organizations may be changed without notice to NIEHS. Therefore, unless the link is to another U.S. government sponsored webpage, endorsement by NIEHS is not implied, and NIEHS does not guarantee their continuing safe content or privacy policies. So please ask your parent or guardian before continuing to any non-NIEHS website, and especially before providing any information via the internet or by e-mail. When last reviewed, the websites linked from the NIEHS Kids' Pages seemed suitable for you to visit, but that may have changed; if you have any difficulties or concerns with any linked materials, please let us know.