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 he has gone
Where the good doggies go
And no more with old Shep will I roam
But if dogs have a heaven
There's one thing I know
Old Shep has a wonderful home