Old Tige

Tige, you were faithful, faithful to the end
Tige, how I miss you, you were my best friend

Three years of Army Service done, and I was headin' home at last
I got to thinking 'bout my dog, and things long gone past
How old Tige, pulled me from a creek when I had no pulse or breath
And how he saved me from the chargin' bull that gored my Dad to death

As a kid, I'd dream of bears and tremble to my toes
'Til old Tige, would come up to my bed and nudge me with his nose
And then my fears would melt away and Tige, would go lie down
I'd drift on back to sleep, without another soundㅤ

The big bus stopped, and I got off it was awful dark and thick with fog
Then something gently nuzzled me, and there stood Tige, my dog
I wondered if my faithful dog had met the bus each day
And all the dreary winter nights, since I'd been away

To have Tige, meet me here like this I was, I was really glad
'Cause I hadn't needed Tige, so much, since the day they've buried Dad
Two long miles still lay ahead, but what I didn't know
A giant dam was being built where the old road used to go

I thank the Lord for sending Tige, and I followed where he led
Knowing well, without his help that I'd be good as dead
Tige inched along this way and that, going rough and slow
And I could hear the water lappin' at the ledges far below

Then through the mist, I saw a light and mother in her chair
And I reached down to pet old Tige, but he wasn't there
I'm thankful Mom you had old Tige, these three lonely years
I owe my life to him, tonight, I couldn't help my tears

You say you wrote me 'bout the dam well, God was sure with us
I didn't get your letter Mom, but old Tige met the bus (Tige, you were faithful)
I hate to tell you son she said, but now you've got to know (faithful to the end)
When you left it broke his heart, Tige died three years ago (Tige, how I miss you)

(You were my best friend)