Old Shep

Today I’ve been thinking about losing Alfie and back to my childhood in the 1970s This song brought back so many memories . My grandma used to sing along with Elvis when I visited her along with Danny Boy and White Cliffs of Dover (that wasn’t Elvis by the way) Obviously its particularly emotive to me at the moment because I am grieving my boy but I think there is something particularly heart wrenching about a fully grown, mature man just crumbling at the loss of his dog.It just gets me every time.

There’s a big Alfie sized hole in my life and I don;t know how to fill it. Last night I found myself looking at rescue kittens! I have never owned a cat in my life……

“Old Shep”

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 then pulled 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 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 wish they would shoot me instead

He came to my side
And looked up at me
And 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

(writers : Clyde J Foley, Arthur Willis)

 

Does music bring back memories or emotions? …. I’d really love to know.

Sorry for the melancholy post. If you have stuck with it this long you are probably as depressed as me, I can only apologise.

But it’s the weekend yeah!

I’m off to find a homeless tortoise……xxx