<P> It was popularized in the UK by the Alan Price Set under the title `` Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear '' , where it reached # 4 in 1967 . The song was also covered by such diverse singers as Harry Nilsson , Morrissey , Harpers Bizarre , Bobby Short , Akiko Yano , and the band Okkervil River . It appeared in the first episode of The Muppet Show , sung by the character Scooter as Simon Smith , with Fozzie Bear as the dancing bear . </P>
who sang simon smith and his dancing bear
Alan Price Set Harry Nilsson Morrissey Harpers Bizarre Bobby Short Akiko Yano Okkervil River