OLD BROWN DOG

(words & music by Ralph McTell, 1970 TRO-Andover Music Inc)

The old brown dog sleeps in the rain unless the sun has shone
That old brown dog is all alone since old Bill been gone
And sleeping in the rain only gives a dog a bad name
"If Bill were alive I know he would decide to have the same thing done"

"That old brown dog he smells so bad" say the people from the town
"That old brown dog is almost lame someone should put him down
It would be an act of kindness you know it's for the best
You bring a rope bring a gun and it'll be over before the dog can guess"

Could an old brown dog have become wise guessed they were after him
His hearing was failin' and his eyes were fast growing dim
On the day they came to kill him he sensed a rabbit on a log
Did anybody see a rabbit chased across the meadows by an old brown dog?

That old brown dog tail waggin' as he laid himself down
It did not seem to matter that the rabbit had long gone to ground
And there in the summer heat his old heart ceased to beat
And high above the meadow the sky larks singing as the spark went out.

recorded by Ralph McTell on "You Well-Meaning Brought Me Here" (Paramount Records PAS 6015)

rich r