OLD SHEP
Sung by: Greg Moody
Recorded by Gary Warmbrod (?), Southwestern Folklore class

 Click here to listen to the original recording
GW: "We're gonna have a distinct illustration tonight of just what the musical tradition means in this area of Arkansas. Tonight we have Mr. and Mrs. Roger Moody, but more importantly, we have their five-year-old son, Greg, who's gonna show why there's always gonna be . .. There's gonna be a continuance of the tradition of music around this part of Arkansas, and all over the country, for that matter. First of all, I'd like to ask Mrs. Moody a couple of questions about Greg. Mrs. Moody, how many songs do you think Greg knows, and bear in mind that he's five years old."
Mrs. Moody: "I think Greg could sing the complete part of a song at least for 12 or 15 songs."
GW: "At least 12 or 15, songs, and he's got a lot of years to learn more."
Mrs. Moody: "Of course, Greg being five years old, he's a pre-school-ager, and he has learned these songs just from hearing Mama sing them. And he has a pretty good memory. And he's gonna sing the song 'Old Shep.'"


When I was a lad and Old Shep was a pup,
For hills and meadows we'd play.
Just a boy and his dog, we were both best of friends;
We grew up together that way.
Remember the time at the old swimming hole,
Where I would have drowned beyond doubt.
But Old Shep was right there; to my rescue he came,
And he jumped in and helped pull me out.

Now the years, they went by, and Old Shep, he grew old.
His eyesight was failing and dim.
The doctor, he looked at Old Shep, and he said:
"I can't do a thing for him, Jim."
With hands that were trembling, I picked up my gun,
And I aimed it at Shep's faithful head.
But I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run,
And I wished that they'd shoot me instead.

Now Old Shep is gone; 'twas a good dog he . . .
And no more will Shep . . . run.
But if dogs have a heaven, there is one thing that I know,
Old Shep's got a wonderful home.


GW: "Again, that was Mr. and Mrs. Roger Moody and their song Greg of Mountain View, Arkansas, showing us why music is gonna live a long time in this area."

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
Back to the Song Index
Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage
©Copyright 2002 Lyon College