A popular song from 1853.
words and music by Stephen C. Foster
From The Stephen Foster Song Book: “In this song the composer wedded one of his most graceful melodies with one of his most mawkish texts. Here again is a desolate character in the evening of life who has outlived everyone he ever cared about and has nothing left but his memories of an old dog. The animal is truly wondrous, however. He is not only faithful, gentle and kind; he can read minds and feel human emotions. He is, in short, a man’s best friend.”
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- The morn of life is past
And evening comes at last
It brings me a dream
Of a once happy day
Of merry forms I’ve seen
Upon the village green
Sporting with my old dog Tray
Chorus
Old dog Tray’s ever faithful
Grief cannot drive him away
He’s gentle, he is kind
I’ll never, never find
A better friend than old dog Tray
- The forms I called my own
Have vanished one by one
The loved ones, the dear ones
Have all passed away
Their happy smiles have flown
Their gentle voices gone
I’ve nothing left but old dog Tray - When thoughts recall the past
His eyes are on me cast
I know that he feels what my
Breaking heart would say
Although he cannot speak
I’ll vainly, vainly seek
A better friend than old dog Tray
Sung here by Fred Feild: