My dog and I, the hills we know
Where the first faint wild roses blow,
We know the shadowy paths and cool
That wind across the woodland dim,
And where the water beetles swim
Upon the surface of the pool.
My dog and I, our feet brush through
Full oft, the fragrant morning dew,
Or, when the summer sun is high,
We linger where the river flows
Chattering and chuckling as it goes—
Two happy tramps, my dog and I.
Or, when the winter snows are deep,
Into some fire-lit nook we creep,
And, while the north wind howls outside,
See castles in the dancing blaze,
Or, dozing, dream of summer days
And woodland stretches, wild and wide.
My dog and I are friends till death,
And when the chill, dark angel's breath
Shall call him from me, still I know,
Somewhere within the shadowy land
Waiting his master he will stand
Until my summons comes to go.
And, in that life so strange and new,
We'll tramp the fields of heaven through,
Loiter the crystal river by;
Together walk the hills of God
As when the hills of earth we trod,
Forever friends, my dog and I.