Old Shep
Kinky Friedman gelesen von Wiglaf Droste Lyrics
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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 by the old swimming hole
When I would've drowned beyond doubt.
But old Shep was right there, to the rescue he came,
Well, the years passed and rolled and old Shep, he grew old,
His eyes they were fast growing dim.
Then one day the doctor looked at me and said,
I can't do no more for him, Jim.
With hands that were tremblin', I picked up my gun,
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.
Well, he crawled to my side and he looked up at me,
He laid his old head on my knee.
I'd lost the best friend that a boy ever had,
I cried so I scarcely could see.
Well, old Shep he is gone where the good doggies go,
No more with old Shep will I roam.
But if dogs have a Heaven, well there's one thing I know,
Old Shep has a wonderful home.
The lyrics to Kinky Friedman gelesen von Wiglaf Droste's song "Old Shep" tell the heart-wrenching story of a boy and his loyal dog, Shep. The song begins with the reminiscence of the good old days when both the boy and the dog were young and full of life. They would wander aimlessly over the hills and meadows, enjoying each other's company, and growing up together. The old swimming hole is mentioned, and the incident when the boy almost drowned but Shep came to the rescue and saved him. It is evident from the words that the friendship between the boy and the dog was purely platonic, yet intense.
As they grew older, Shep aged fast, and his eyes began to lose sight. The veterinarian told the boy that there was nothing more he could do for Shep. The most heart-wrenching part of the song comes when the boy holds a gun trembling in his hands, aiming for Shep's head but can't go through with it. He was devastated and wished his life could be taken instead of Shep's. Shep crawled towards the boy, apparently sensing that his time had come and laid his head on the boy's knee. The boy lost his best friend, weeping so much that he could not see.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup
In my youth, when I was a boy and my loyal dog Shep was still a puppy
Over hills and meadows we'd stray.
We would wander and explore the countryside together
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun,
As a boy with my dog, we were both joyful and carefree
We grew up together that way.
We developed and matured alongside each other
I remember the time by the old swimming hole
I recall a specific moment at a familiar spot by the pond
When I would've drowned beyond doubt.
A time when I was in imminent danger of drowning
But old Shep was right there, to the rescue he came,
But luckily, Shep was there just in time to save me
He jumped in and helped pull me out.
He bravely plunged in and assisted me to safety
Well, the years passed and rolled and old Shep, he grew old,
As the years went by, Shep grew progressively older
His eyes they were fast growing dim.
His vision began to quickly deteriorate
Then one day the doctor looked at me and said,
One day, the veterinarian told me
I can't do no more for him, Jim.
That they couldn't do anything more to help Shep
With hands that were tremblin', I picked up my gun,
With shaky hands, I grabbed my gun
I aimed it at Shep's faithful head.
I aimed the gun at the loyal dog's head
But I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run,
But I couldn't bring myself to do it, and instead wanted to flee
I wished they would shoot me instead.
I lamented that someone else could do the deed instead of me
Well, he crawled to my side and he looked up at me,
Shep made his way over to me and gazed up at me
He laid his old head on my knee.
He rested his aged head on my lap
I'd lost the best friend that a boy ever had,
I had lost the greatest friend a boy could have
I cried so I scarcely could see.
I wept so intensely that I could barely see
Well, old Shep he is gone where the good doggies go,
Shep has left this world to proceed to where all good dogs go
No more with old Shep will I roam.
I won't be able to wander and explore with Shep any longer
But if dogs have a Heaven, well there's one thing I know,
However, if heaven exists for dogs, there is one thing I am certain of
Old Shep has a wonderful home.
It's that Shep is now part of a fantastic place
Writer(s): Arthur Willis, Clyde J. Foley
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J. Bruce Fox
One of his saddest but most beautiful renditions of a song.
D Doeser
Vindt het zo prachtig doet je wat ❤🇳🇱🙏
Tony Morph
Can’t believe this has so few views. My dad sung this to me when I was a little boy. I love you dad and Elvis. Miss you.
Kane
@currenbj This is my earliest memory too. Dad perched on the end of the bed with a Takamine. An Australian summer wind whistling outside. I think I was four. I’d give everything I’ve got to be back there again.
Olof Lehrberg
The most viewed versions have around 900 000 views.
currenbj
One of my very earliest memories was my father singing this to us as my sisters and I cried. I am 73 now so that would be almost 70 years ago. This is a beautiful rendition.
Ellen R.
What a beautiful voice Elvis had. This is such a sad song. After I lost my last dog, I knew I could never go through such a loss again, and I haven't.
Zowie
I agree agree, worst pain I've felt loosing my dog, my soul mate.
Xvier Fernandez
Elvis was a beautiful soul. Great song.
patrick ryan
Hard to attempt to sing without filling up. I understand it took Elvis several takes to get this down. It's a stellar performance, timeless in its effect on the listener (no matter how many times heard). Old Shep did have a Heaven, and both He and Elvis now have a wonderful home (not to worry).