Foley was born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. He began playing the guitar and the harmonica as a young boy and at age seventeen he won first prize in a statewide talent show. Ultimately he signed with Decca Records in 1941. His hit songs include Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy, Old Shep, Sugarfoot Rag, and Tennessee Saturday Night. Peace in the Valley, backed up by The Sunshine Boys, in 1951 became the first gospel record to sell a million copies, and One By One, a duet with Kitty Wells, became a chart topper in 1954.
For more than two decades, Foley was a major star of country music, selling in excess of twenty-five million records. During 1962-63, Foley was a regular cast member along with Fess Parker in the television series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Red Foley was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967. For his contribution to the music industry, Red Foley also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6225 Hollywood Blvd.
He died unexpectedly in 1968 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of fifty-eight from a heart attack. He is interred in the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
His daughter from his second marriage to Judy Martin (nee: Eva Alaine Overstake) is Shirley Lee Foley who is married to singer Pat Boone. His granddaughter is singer Debby Boone.
Old Shep
Red Foley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 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
Red Foley's song Old Shep tells the story of a man reflecting back on his childhood and his loyal companion, a dog named Shep. The song highlights the strong bond between a boy and his dog and the many memories they shared together. The song talks about their adventures together, running through the hills and meadows, and the times when Shep has come to the boy's rescue. The song also shows the deep grief that the boy experiences when his old friend becomes sick, and he has to put him down. He recalls the moment when he was about to pull the trigger but could not bring himself to do it.
The song is a poignant reminder of the unbreakable bond between humans and their animal friends. It depicts the love and the sense of loss that follows when a beloved pet passes away. The final verse of the song is an homage to the idea of a doggy heaven, giving the listener a sense of hope that the dog is now in a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a lad
In my younger days
And old Shep was a pup
At the time Shep was a young dog
Over hills and meadows we'd stray
We would roam and wander around hills and meadows
Just a boy and his dog
It was just me and Shep, my dog
We were both full of fun
Both of us were energetic and lively
We grew up together that way
We both grew older while being close to each other
I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole
I recall an incident that happened at the old swimming spot
When I would have drowned beyond doubt
If not for Shep, I would have drowned for sure
But old Shep was right there
But Shep, being the faithful dog he was, was present at the moment
To the rescue he came
He came forward to save me
He jumped in and then pulled me out
He took an action and brought me out of danger
As the years fast did roll
As time quickly passed us by
Old Shep, he grew old
Shep grew older too
His eyes were fast growing dim
Shep's eyesight was failing quickly
And one day the doctor looked at me and said
On one day, the veterinarian told me
"I can do no more for him, Jim"
"I am unable to provide any more help for him, Jim"
With hands that were trembling
With my hands shaking
I picked up my gun
I took hold of my firearm
And aimed it at Shep's faithful head
I pointed it towards Shep's loyal head
I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run
I felt incapable of doing it and had an urge to flee
I wish they would shoot me instead
I wished someone else would shoot me instead
He came to my side and looked up at me
He came near my side and looked up towards me
And laid his old head on my knee
Then rested his aging head on my knee
I had struck the best friend a man ever had
I had struck down the most loyal friend a man could ever have
I cried so I scarcely could see
I cried so much that I could barely see
Old Shep, he has gone where the good doggies go
Shep has passed away and gone to where all good dogs go
And no more with old Shep will I roam
I won't get to wander around with Shep anymore
But if dogs have a heaven there's one thing I know
If there is a heaven for dogs, I believe
Old Shep has a wonderful home
Then Shep must be in a beautiful and happy place
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ARTHUR WILLIS, CLYDE J. FOLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Spry
RIP and long live Red Foley (June 17, 1910 – September 19, 1968), aged 58
You will always be remembered as a legend.
Laura M
My dad loved this song. ❤️
David Williams
Mine as well. He's gone now, too.
marion squire
I remember this song, as a child at my uncle and aunts house in Michigan. Sad song, and now I am 71. Just wanted to listen once more time.
Bli Bli
Well, before the internet I believed my grandfather wrote this song about his faithful companion Shep who saved him from a rattlesnake and drowning. Still a great song that can bring a tear to my eye, but my ears always hear it in Pap’s voice. After seeing this video, I realized he was 20 when it was written and he must of got a hell of a chuckle to himself every time he sang it and saw they we were amazed by his talents.
joshshumway1971
Your grandpa might have been a little full of shit but it sounds like he had a good sense of humor 😂
Evan Lingwall
That's an awesome story!!
Beth Powell
Just read this when I'm doing a class on folk music. I'm Beth Powell, my father was Robert Lain Powell and I heard Red at our family reunion at Kingston. My grandmother was a Foley up there 2022
thefactorypilot145
My Granny would sing this to me 30 years ago as a child. Always made me bawl when shep died.
Tom Servo
It's amazing how dogs enter that special place in our hearts. It's akin only to the comradery one experiences while wearing a uniform. Always wanting to please, always happy when you come home, protective, and a simple pat on the head makes their day.