Lyrics:
Old Shep [Version (a)]:
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 swimming 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 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
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 swimming 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 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
The Song:
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with fragments of songs and melodies, as well as fictional album collections and made-up song titles. "Old Shep" is listed as part of a collection of manly hymns, Hymns For Him.
While a lot of song titles on Hymns are made-up, some are references to older sheet music/songs. "Old Shep" is a classic from the 1930s by Clyde "Red" Foley. It is about a man having to put his dog to sleep. It gained more fame when Elvis Presley covered it in 1956. (Elvis also sang it as a 10-year old at his first public performance, in a singing contest.) Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and The Everly Brothers are just some of the famous country musicians who covered the song too.
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with fragments of songs and melodies, as well as fictional album collections and made-up song titles. "Old Shep" is listed as part of a collection of manly hymns, Hymns For Him.
While a lot of song titles on Hymns are made-up, some are references to older sheet music/songs. "Old Shep" is a classic from the 1930s by Clyde "Red" Foley. It is about a man having to put his dog to sleep. It gained more fame when Elvis Presley covered it in 1956. (Elvis also sang it as a 10-year old at his first public performance, in a singing contest.) Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and The Everly Brothers are just some of the famous country musicians who covered the song too.