OLD BEN
As recorded by Chris Flegg on "The Sound of Life" 2008.

Old Ben lies sleeping, quiet and still,
No more to run the fields and hills.
Of herding sheep, he's had his fill.
He'll go no more a-working.

Old Ben's a dog of many years,
Now shabby coat and crumpled ears,
With clouded eye and grizzled beard.
He'll go no more a-working.

He knows his master's call so well:
"Come by, get back, stay down, to heel."
A younger dog his job now steals.
He'll go no more a-working.

His basket by the augur lies.
He stiffly turns around and sighs.
Though he still barks at passers-by.
He'll go no more a-working.

Then sometimes he will rise alert
When down the lane his master's heard.
He tries to run but must return.
He'll go no more a-working.

And will I miss my working days,
And sit and dream my time away,
Or make life one long holiday?
I'll go no more a-working.

Old Ben lies sleeping, quiet and still,
No more to run the fields and hills.
Of herding sheep, he's had his fill.
He'll go no more a-working.