THE OLD DOG

At a point where the South road meets the hill
and runs down the other side
There's an old tin shed that's standing, still
and a grave where the old dog died

He surely had seen better days
when our paths chanced to cross
As I lit up a fire and laid out my swag
he got up and wandered across

I could see from the look in the old dog's eye
that his race was almost run
but he sat by my side and offered his paw
So I gave him a pat and a bun

I cooked up some meat and he chewed on a bone
then he rested his head on my swag
We sat and we watched as the stars all came out
and his tail did a slow steady wag

We fell fast asleep and I woke with the sun
to find the old dog passed away
So I gathered him up and I buried him deep
and sadly I went on my way

It was later that morning I stopped at a farm
to ask about work round about
and I happened to see a new litter of pups
one turned and came waddling out

He sat on the ground and he offered his paw
and I saw a strange glint in his eye
Had the old dog returned? Was he telling me now
that I shouldn't be sad that he'd died?

Well I picked him right up and his warm puppy tongue
quickly licked off the tear from my cheek
I couldn't think straight, I was stunned and choked up
and found my knees going all weak

So I bought him right there and I gathered him up
He settled right down in my swag
As I walked down the road I could feel the odd thump
as his tail did a slow steady wag.

(c) Sep 2000 Written in Brisbane, Qld.

The Old Dog (c) R. Glasby

GET YOUR OWN COPY -

If you would like to get a PDF copy of the ballads on this website that you can read offline or even print out and turn into your own hard copy book, you can order through PayPal at the link below. All sales of this book help me to keep this and other free websites going for everyone to enjoy. It is only $3.99 AUD!

An original collection of poems about life in Australia.
$4.00 AU

PDF book will be emailed on receipt of payment
Remember to add your email address to the order or we cannot send your PDF book.