MY DOG AND I

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.