Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)

Subject: Lyr Add: I SHOT YOUR DOG (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 06:49 PM

I SHOT YOUR DOG
Fred Eaglesmith

Well, hello, neighbor. I been meaning to talk to you.
I been putting it off. It's something I gotta do.
I been living with a secret. Been keeping me awake.
There's just something I gotta say:

CHORUS:
I shot your dog. He was on my property.
I thought he was a coyote, on the run.
I been missing some chickens, so I pulled the trigger.
I feel so bad 'bout what I done.

You don't have to say nothin'. I can tell how you feel.
I'd feel the same if it was me.
I'm awfully sorry. If I could make it up to you
In any way, tell me what to do. CHORUS

Got an old coon hound. If it'll make you feel better,
She's comin' in next week. You get the pick of the litter. CHORUS

[Recorded by Fred Eaglesmith & The Flathead Noodlers on the album "Balin," 2003.]

This song astonished me, mainly because it's done without a detectable trace of irony. OK, call me naïve, but I'm not sure I can tell whether Eaglesmith meant it to be a sad song or a funny one. OK, if I ever heard this song performed before a live audience, I'm sure most people would be laughing, but even then, I wouldn't be sure but what those who laughed were missing the point.

The tune is upbeat, but aren't there a lot of songs like that? Sad words matched with an upbeat tune, I mean. A lot of blues songs are like that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: frogprince
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 07:25 PM

Once again, proof that a song can be about almost, if not, anything. I'm sitting here with a flashback of a situation between farm neighbors over 30 years ago, with one of them having to tell the other so close to just those words that it's uncanny. Fortunately their friendship was pretty solid, and survived the incident.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: Stewie
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 09:50 PM

Jim, I have not heard this one, but I would suspect that Fred's intent was serious, particularly in light of his song about a very old dog, titled 'He's a good dog', on his live 'Ralph's Last Show' album.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 10:42 PM

I thought about He's a Good Dog, too, warm and affectionate for an old friend.

I am afraid I thought I Shot Your Dog was on the funny side, but after reflecting a bit, I am inclined to go along with you guys. It's Eaglesmith's approach that somehow makes it seem funny . . . but it really isn't.

Fred needs WAY more attention in the music world. I know he is a great favorite of the Chambers clan who in turn introduced his music to Catherine Britt.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 12:21 AM

"Water In The Fuel" ranks right up there with Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Die" as one of the saddest songs ever written.

---

"Water in the Fuel" lyrics

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: number 6
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 12:25 AM

I've heard Fred sing this song live ... had the whole audience laughing .. I guess you have see this guy live to get what he's all about ... he's a singer/songwriter, comedian, and story teller all in one.

sIx

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 02:25 AM

I think the ambiguity is what makes this song so fascinating, and what gives it its power. Sad and funny at the same time. A story told with great simplicity, directness, and honesty.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:42 AM

I'm sure that the ambiguity in Fred's songs is intentional. Many of his songs have this same feeling.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:39 PM

Yes, I realize that now, and I feel it was stupid of me not to consider that in the first place. After all, isn't that what poets frequently do? I recall there's a famous book about poetry called "Seven Types of Ambiguity." I haven't read it, but I think I get the basic concept: poets deliberately use ambiguity to create multiple levels of meaning.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: Willie-O
Date: 01 May 06 - 09:37 PM

I've seen Fred many times...I really have mixed feelings. He does a show like no other, and his heart is in the right place. But he's still too damn busy bein' ironically clever country-boy. I always end up with that exact question: did he mean that?
Sorta like, I was at a pre-show supper with him and he was going on about how he HATES HIPPIES. Guess it works for his persona. But hippies put the gas in his tour bus. Cause they LOVE HIM.   

When the Fred Eaglesmith show comes to yer town, go see it. Make up your own mind. More than worth noting that the band includes Willie P Bennett on whacked-out electric mandolin. Willie is every bit the writer Fred is, and when you hear him sing, you don't go away wondering "did he mean that?"

W-O

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: GUEST,eppler
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 01:01 PM

hillbillylicious!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: I Shot Your Dog (Fred Eaglesmith)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 03:42 PM

Is it over 10 years since I posted this one ?

Must tidy up the loose ends on one or two verses!

Regards