Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 23 - 03:18 PM

Neath the rugged Scottish mountains
Lived a shepherd long ago
Tending sheep whatever the weather
Be it wind or rain or snow
He was tired but never lonely
Though he wandered far and wide
For his faithful doggie Bobby
Never left the shepherd's side

But the shepherd growing older
Suffered grave infirmity
All alone he fled to Edinburgh
There to die in poverty
But the faithfull doggie followed
Only instinct was his guide
'Till he found his ailing master
And he never left his side

When they buried Bobby's master
Still he never left his side
By a grave in Greyfriars kirkyard
Bobby watched until he died
And the Edinburgh folks in wonder
For such loyalty's rare to see
Raised a statue in the city
To the doggie's memory

Now today man treats his neighbour
With mistrust and [something] fear
For suspicious dark ambition
Seems to worsen every year
But the day is ever dawning
When all men shall brothers be
For a humble Scottish doggie
Showed the way to you and me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 04:05 AM

Latest film of Greyfriars Bobby was reviewed thus - 'You might think Lassie was schmaltzie garbage but this film enters the third circle of doggie hell'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: Muttley
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 12:34 AM

Some of the folklore perpetuates the story that 'Auld Jock' was a shepherd / drover: However, the official history (in that Royal Mile museum I mentioned - I have the name of it on video, but i can't be bothered looking for it right now: too much hassle setting up to bother for a single name)

I can't recall 'Auld Jock's' real name, but it was one shared by a shepherd who brought stock into Edinburgh for market days and that of a Constable of the Watch (Police) - and both lived about the same time. While the story makes more sense to associate the dog with the shepherd; Bobby's dedication to remaining at his grave is perplexing given that the shepherd DID, indeed die in Edinburgh - but he was buried in Stirling (or Livingstone) - or somewhere else fairly distant whose name I can't recall - but the long and the short of it is that "Auld Jock" the shepherd is buried about 20 miles from Edinburgh.

The Constable, however, WAS buried at Greyfriars and it was his grave that Bobby 'cosied up to'. The Constables grave is what is termed a 'Table Grave' - that is two upright slabs like a 'headstone' at each end of the grave and a horizontal slab with inscriptions laid horizontally across the uprights the full length of the plot.

Disclaimers say that Bobby never belonged to anyone and was a stray who found the warmth of the constables table-top slab on cool, sunny days and its shelter on snowy, rainy or (rarely for Scotland) HOT days - MOST comforting and appreciated.

However it is legend that the dog did belong to the constable and that he was about two years old when his master died. Bobby then 'haunted' the cemetery being chased out frequently in the erarly days. He was soom 'adopted' by a local "cafe" owner - sort of a 19th Century Coffee / sandwich / light meal cafe - ultimately it was decided all unregistered dogs would be gathered and destroyed. The locals around Greyfriars petitioned the government / council and petitioned to make Bobby an exception. Bobby was saved by the (I think it was the ) Provost Marshall of Edinburgh who paid Bobby's registration from that day forth and provided a collar, ID badge and food bowl for him.

Numerous photo's of Bobby as well as this story, his bowl and collar, ID etc are on display at the museum in the Royal Mile (Edinburgh People's Museum - I think it's called).

Bobby ultimately lived a further 14 years after his master perished and by common consent was buried right at the entrance of Greyfriars Kirk. His grave sits at the edge of the paved paths and in front of the main entrance to the Kirk itself (the grave is about equidistant from the gates and the Kirk. Bobby's master lies (still under his "table Grave" memorial stones about 30 or 40 yards away to the right (down the slope)as you stand with Bobby's grave and the Kirk in front of you. Bobby's granite headstone was provided by the "Greyfriars Bobby Lovers Association of Canada !!

Anyway that's Bobby's story in full but as succinct I can make it.

A new movie MAY serve to "de-Disneyfy" the legend but if they perpetuate Bobby's master as the shepherd; they won't be doing Bobby justice (or his story or his real master).

Muttley

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: GUEST,Kirsty
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 01:31 AM

I believe what the OP is looking for is this song. I'm sorry I have no information on its origin or authorship; I learned it from a friend, Nick Browse (now of Boston), many years ago:

When men boast of their honor,
Of their faith and loyalty,
Let us think of Greyfriars Bobby,
Who could be as true as he?

Mid the rugged Scottish mountains
Lived a shepherd long ago
Tending sheep whate'er the weather
Whether wind, or rain, or snow.
He was tired, but never lonely
Though he roamed both far and wide,
For his doggie, faithful Bobby,
Never left the shepherd's side.

But the shepherd, growing older,
Suffered great infirmity;
All alone he fled to Edinborough,
There to die in poverty.
But the faithful Bobby followed,
Only instinct was his guide
Till he found his ailing master;
Then he never left his side.

When they buried Bobby's master,
Still he never left his side:
By the grave in Greyfriars churchyard
Bobby watched until he died.
And the Edinborough folk in wonder,
As such faith is rare to see,
Raised a statue in the city
To the doggie's memory.

So today man views his neighbor
With mistrust and hate and fear,
Cold suspicion, dark ambition
Seem to worsen every year.
Will that day be ever dawning
When all men shall brothers be?
Well, a humble Scottish doggie
Shows the way to you and me.

So when men boast of their honor,
Of their faith and loyalty,
Let us think of Greyfriars Bobby --
Who could be as true as he?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:52 PM

Hi Ragdall
Any chance of getting the tune for "Greyfriars Bobby"? Notes or ABC will do.
Bricht = bright
Bra (braw) = good-looking
Awa = away
Brae = hill or slope
Tattie bogle = scarecrow
TB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:29 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriars Bobby / Greyfriar's Bobby
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 09:37 AM

GREYFRIAR'S BOBBY (AULD JOCK'S LAMENT) (excerpt)
Jan Smith

It's been a long night on the beach
Rain and wind and sleet
Courting (?) the cold gray street
With Bobby.
Well, I never had money to pay.
I don't have....

[Recorded by Smithfield Fair (Jan Smith, Frang Bladen, Dudley-Brian Smith) on "Swept Away," Stevenson Productions CD 122284, 2005.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriar's Bobby
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 08 Feb 06 - 03:56 AM

A new film about Greyfriars Bobby has just been released, which purports to be historically accurate, de-disneyfying the whole thing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriar's Bobby
From: Muttley
Date: 08 Feb 06 - 01:16 AM

Greyfriars Bobby was NOT a Jack Russel Terrier he was along-haired breed - sort of like a bedraggled Skye Terrier but with a longer coat.

He was known as Greyfriars Bobby LONG before he died - while his master (a constable of police) was alive he was 'Bobby'. After he refused to leave his master's grave site in the Greyfriars kirkyard he became known as Greyfriars Bobby. There is an exhibit to him in the 'museum' along the Royal Mile and a statue out on the road outside the Kirkyard. Bobby himself is buried at the front of the kirkyard and his grave is marked by a granite headstone and lies about 30 yards from that of his master.

Walt Disney turned his master into a shepherd and several children's books perpetuate the story.

I have just returned from Edinburgh, where I visited the kirkyard, the statue, and the graves. (As part of a tour)

Muttley

Subject: Lyr Add: GREYFRIARS BOBBY (Sherman & Sherman?)
From: ragdall
Date: 05 Feb 06 - 05:36 PM

According to this web page, Bobby was a Skye terrier.

I listened to the recording. There are a few Scottish words in it that I am not sure about. I'll type these in italics. I'm guessing at the line breaks.

Greyfriars Bobby, the day is bricht and bra.
Greyfriars Bobby, your master's gone awa.
Come out wee Bobby, we'll roam the brae,
Across the heather and far away.
Greyfriars Bobby, please come out and play?

In Edinburgh, a little dog
Was loved by one and all.
Although nobody owned him,
Everybody would call:

Greyfriars Bobby, the day is bricht and bra.
Greyfriars Bobby, your master's gone awa.
Come out wee Bobby, we'll roam the brae,
Across the heather and far away.
Greyfriars Bobby, please come out and play?

His master slept in the kirkyard.
He loved his master true.
So Bobby slept in the kirkyard.
No other place would do.

The Lord High Mayor made this decree
That gave him great renown.
A dog as loyal as Bobby,
He would have the key to the town.

Greyfriars Bobby, the day is bricht and bra.
Greyfriars Bobby, your master's gone awa.
Come out wee Bobby, we'll roam the brae,
Across the heather and far away.
Greyfriars Bobby, please come out and play?
Greyfriars Bobby, please come out and play?
Please come out and play?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriar's Bobby
From: ragdall
Date: 05 Feb 06 - 04:54 PM

Song, GreyFriars Bobby by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greyfriar's Bobby
From: ragdall
Date: 05 Feb 06 - 04:53 PM

I have a 33 1/3 boxed set, "Walt Disney's Treasury of Dog Stories...". I haven't listened to it for years, but I'm fairly certain that the song is on there.

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Feb 06 - 10:42 PM

Just a hint: Google gives 9,220 hits on "Greyfriar's Bobby" (with an apostrophe) and 97,000 hits on "Greyfriars Bobby" (no apostrophe).

Wikipedia says Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier, and was buried in churchyard of Greyfriars Kirk.

So I suppose that means the dog was known only as Bobby, at least while his master was alive, and became known as Greyfriars Bobby afterwards?

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 04:19 AM

I can't find the song but the story is really one that pulls at the heart strings, and when I read it in school with the students I have to warn them that I'm going to cry.... They usually bring tissues for me! If anyone has the song I'd love to get it too.

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 11:01 AM

I think Bobbby was a Jack Russel Terrier, not a shepherd. Of course, poetic license.............

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From:
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 08:33 AM

Hello, I'm looking for the lyrics of a children's song. In the song is the lyrics "bobby you're a braw wee dug...." I would love it if someone could help me out here.

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 05:09 AM

click here for the tale and a picture of dog and pub. Sorry, but I can't provide a link to the lyrics.
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: John Nolan
Date: 19 Aug 97 - 10:22 PM

It's also the name of a mediocre bar in Edinburgh, near Sandy Bell's, and presumably located near the celebrated remains o' the deid dug.

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Earl II
Date: 19 Aug 97 - 05:52 PM

I've just realised that there are two Earls contributing here, so I'll be Earl II. Anyway, the first verse, if it jogs any memories, is not altogether different from:

'Neath the rugged Scottish Mountains/ Lived a shepherd long ago/ Tending sheep whate'er the weather/ Be it wind or rain or snow.

I have a vague recollection of someone like the Alexander Brothers covering it when I was but a bairn. And, yes, it is about the mutt fom Edinburgh. Another verse ends kind of:

And the Edinburgh folk in wonder/ For such faith is rare to see/ Built a statue in the city/ To that doggy's memory.

It's sentimental trash but I still want it.

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Jon
Date: 19 Aug 97 - 07:42 AM

Greyfriar's Bobby was a small dog who guarded his Masters grave - for many years - until the dog died. The event occured in Edinburgh - and there is a memorial outside the grave yard to the dog. So I guess you're looking to a Scottish source for the words! I'll have a look through my music collection for you - but it dosen't ring any large bells... Jon

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Earl
Date: 18 Aug 97 - 03:06 PM

The chorus goes something like:

When men boast of their honour/ Of their faith and loyalty/ Let them think of Greyfriar's Bobby/ Who could be as True as he/

Subject: RE: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From: Ron
Date: 18 Aug 97 - 02:41 AM

Wasn't G's. B a book written by collie fancier Albert P. Terhune?

Subject: Greyfriar's Bobby - Lyric request
From:
Date: 17 Aug 97 - 10:12 AM

While I'm here - anyone know where I can find this? I've searched the Forum and the Digitrad and been to various web sites ...

Earl