Hey Everyone -- Calvin put this to music and it's up at the MP3 forum now! It's back to the original name -- Old Dog Walker! Thanks so much, Calvin, for the lovely ballad! -- Lisa


Rewrite #1:
Here's a rewrite, based on the feedback. I still haven't addressed all the issues, but I'm still working on it. I talked to Joe's wife and she reminded me that a neighbor had called Joe, saying Walker hadn't moved and he seemed dead. Joe rushed over there, and Walker was alive. I've added this to the lyric. Also, his name is now "Webster" instead of "Walker!" hee, hee! Thanks for everyone's help!

Old Dog Webster (rewrite)

Old Dog Webster lived out on Plum Creek
With a country man he shared those backwoods
The man moved away but that mutt remained
Roaming the land his life stayed the same

Neighbors stepped in to fill up his bowls
He refused to stay with anyone long
He'd never known care at his master's hand
His thick coat was loaded with grit and sand

CHORUS
Old Dog Webster was tough
It was clear to all
He didn't need much
Old Dog Webster
Old Dog Webster

Plum Creek was sold to a man named Joe
He'd stay on long weekend getaways
Calming the growl stuck in Wesbster's throat
Joe took a comb to his tangled coat

BRIDGE
Six months passed by
And every weekend
Old Dog Webster
Stayed by Joe's side
Through the touch of Joe's tender hand
Old Dog Webster learned of more than land

CHORUS
Old Dog Webster was tough
It was clear to all
He didn't need much
Old Dog Webster
Old Dog Webster

One day Joe heard Old Dog Webster was dead
He rushed to Plum Creek and found him alive
Joe followed him down to the wooden pier
Old Dog Webster jumped in...then disappeared

CHORUS
Old Dog Webster was tough
The locals said he didn't need much
Old Dog Webster
Old Dog Webster

Ending
Joe carried Old Dog Webster up
Buried him with his tender touch

(c) 2013, Lisa Gundling

This is a true story about a relative of mine (Joe). He'd bought Plum Creek as a weekend place, but the owner left his dog, Walker, and Walker's dog kennel. Joe would spend hours stroking the gritty, lumpy Walker, and Walker came to love him. I stuck to the facts, but is it too confusing? Thanks! -- Lisa

Old Dog Walker (original version)

Old Dog Walker lived out on Plum Creek
With a country man down in the backwoods
They later said his eyes would speak

Mangy as they come he roamed the land
Never got much care or human contact
Food and water but no soft hand

CHORUS
Old Dog Walker was tough
It was clear to all
He didn't need much
Old Dog Walker
Old Dog Walker

Place got sold but that dog wouldn't move
So the simple man came back each day
And filled his kennel bowl with food

BRIDGE
Plum Creek's new owner didn't mind
His name was Joe and he was kind
He'd come on weekends and his tender hand
Taught Old Dog Walker of more than land

CHORUS
Old Dog Walker was tough
It was clear to all
He didn't need much
Old Dog Walker
Old Dog Walker

When it came time for that dog to go
He led his friend to Plum Creek's waters
As he went under, he gazed at Joe

CHORUS
Old Dog Walker was tough
It was clear to all
He didn't need much
Old Dog Walker
Old Dog Walker

Ending
Joe carried Old Dog Walker up
Dug his grave with a tender touch

(c) 2013, Lisa Gundling

Last edited by Lisa Gundling; 07/12/13 11:36 PM.