Elvis Presley Old Shep
Elvis Presley Old Shep Written by Red Foley and Willis Arthur about Foleys 19-year-old German Shepherd dog, Hoover, who had been poisoned. Old Shep was the song Elvis sang to win second prize at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in 1945, when he was 10 years old, his first public singing appearance. In 1953, Elvis sang it at the Humes High School Minstrel Show. Elvis recorded it on September 2, 1956 at Radio Recorders, and he plays piano on all the takes of the song. It was the A-side to Youll Never Walk Alone. It is available on Separate Ways, The King of Rock n Roll-The Complete 50s Masters, Great Country Songs, and 50 Greatest Love Songs, which is where this version is from. When I was a lad And old Shep was a pup Over hills and meadows we'd stray Just a boy and his dog We were both full of fun We grew up together that way I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole When I would have drowned beyond doubt But old Shep was right there To the rescue he came He jumped in and helped pull me out As the years fast did roll Old Shep he grew old His eyes were fast growing dim And one day the doctor looked at me and said I can do no more for him Jim With hands that were trembling I picked up my gun And aimed it at Shep's faithful head I just couldn't do it I wanted to run I wish they would shoot me instead He came to my side And he looked up at me And laid his old head on my knee I had struck the best friend that a man ever had I cried so I scarcely could see Old Shep <b>...</b>
