OLD SHEP
(Red Foley / Willis Arthur)
Red Foley - 1940
Wilf "Montana Slim" Carter - 1944
Elvis Presley - 1956
Hank Snow - 1958
The Tornadoes - 1963
Howard Vokes - 1964
Dave Dudley - 1965
Red Sovine - 1967
Johnny Cash - 1975
Pat Boone - 1983
Also recorded by:
Alabama; Wesley Tuttle; Townes Van Zandt; The Stonemans;
Sydney Devine; Walter Brennan; Scott Brannan; Mike Reid;
Mac Wiseman; Ramblin' Jack Elliott: ........ and others.
As originally recorded by RED FOLEY:
When I was a lad and Old Shep was a pup
O'er hills and meadows we'd stray
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun
We grew up together that way
I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole
When I would've drowned beyond doubt
Shep was right there, to the rescue he came
He jumped in and helped pulled me out
So the years fed along and at last he grew old
His eyesight was fast growin' dim
Then one day the doctor looked at me and said
"I can't do no more for him, Jim"
With a hand that was trembling I picked up my gun
I aimed it at Shep's faithful head
I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
And I wished that they'd shoot me instead
I went to his side and I sat on the ground
He laid his head on my knee
I stroked the best pal that a man ever found
I cried so I scarcely could see
Old Sheppie he knew he was going to go
For he reached out and licked at my hand
He looked up at me, just as much as to say
"We're parting, but you understand"
Now Old Shep is gone where the good doggies go
And no more with Old Shep will I roam
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - August 2007)
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As recorded by RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT:
When I was a lad and Old Shep was a pup
Over hills and mountains we'd stray
Just a boy and a dog, we were both full of fun
We grew up together that way
I remember the time by the old swimmin' hole
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
But old Shep was there, to the rescue he came
He jumped in and helped pull me out
The years rolled on by and Old Shep he grew old
His eyesight was fast growing dim
Then one day the doctor looked at him and said
"I can't do no more for him, Jim"
With hands that were trembling I picked up my gun
And I aimed it at Shep's faithful head
But I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
I wished they would shoot me instead
I went to his side, I sat on the ground
Old Shep laid his head on my knee
I stroked the best pal a man ever had
I cried till I scarcely could see
Old Sheppie he knew he was going to go
For he reached down and licked at my hand
Then he looked up at me, just as much as to say
"We're parting, but I understand"
Now Sheppie he's gone where the good doggies go
And no more with Old Shep will I roam
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - August 2007)
************************
As recorded by HANK SNOW:
Now when I was a lad and Old Shep was a pup
Over hills and valleys we'd stray
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun
We grew up together that way
I remember the time at the old swimming hole
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
But old Shep was right there, to the rescue he came
He jumped in and helped drag me out
Now the years rolled along and at last he grew old
His eyesight was fast growing dim
Then one day the doctor looked at me and said
"I can't do no more for him, Jim"
So with tremblin' hand I picked up my gun
Aimed it at Shep's faithful head
But I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
I wished they would shoot me instead
(SPOKEN:)
(So I threw down that old gun, ran right up to his side)
(He laid his faithful old head right on my knee)
(And friends, I stroked the best pal that a man ever found)
(I even cried so I scarcely could see)
(Now Old Sheppie he knew, he knew he was going to go)
('Cause he reached down and, uh, he licked at my hand)
(Then he looked up at me, just as much as to say)
("I hate to, but you understand")
Now Old Shep is gone where the good doggies go
And no more with Old Shep will I roam
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - August 2007)
************************
As recorded by ELVIS PRESLEY:
When I was a lad and Old Shep was a pup
Over hills and meadows we'd stray
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun
We grew up together that way
I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
But old Shep was right there, to the rescue he came
He jumped in and helped pull me out
As the years fast did roll, Old Shep he grew old
His eyes were fast growing dim
And one day the doctor looked at me and said
"I can't do no more for him, Jim"
With hands that were trembling I picked up my gun
And aimed it at Shep's faithful head
I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
I wished they would shoot me instead
He came to my side and he looked up at me
And he laid his old head on my knee
I had struck the best friend that a man ever had
I cried so I scarcely could see
Old Shep he has gone where the good doggies go
And no more with Old Shep will I roam
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home
************************
As recorded by JOHNNY CASH:
When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup
Over hills and meadows we'd play
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun
We grew up together that way
I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
But Old Shep was right there, to the rescue he came
He jumped in and helped pull me out
Now the years they rolled by and Old Shep he grew old
His eyesight at last it grew dim
Then one day the doctor looked at him and said
"I can't do no more for him, Jim"
With a hand that was tremblin' I picked up my gun
And I aimed it at Shep's faithful head
But I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
I wished they would shoot me instead
Now Old Shep is gone where the good doggies go
And no more on this earth will he roam
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home
************************
