“Ballad of the Lonesome Man and His Dog

” (as sung by an old mountain man by the fire) (Verse 1) The snow was fallin’ soft that night, Down where the cold wind moans, And I sat by my cabin fire, With a heart carved out of stone. My rifle leans where the shadows crawl, The coals burn low and red, And there’s one less plate upon the floor, Since my old dog’s gone and dead. (Chorus) So I talk to Jesus ‘neath the stars, Where the pine trees bend and sigh, Sayin’, “Lord, I’m just a lonesome soul, And I’m too old to cry.” He whispers back through the midnight air, “So rest your weary load— Your faithful friend runs free up here, Just further down the road.” (Verse 2) He followed me through sleet and storm, Through hunger, frost, and pain, He’d guard the camp while I would sleep, And lead me home again. A thousand trails, a thousand nights, His tail a-wag, his grin, Now it’s just me and the northern lights, And the ghosts that ride the wind. (Chorus) So I talk to Jesus ‘neath the stars, Where the pine trees bend and sigh, Sayin’, “Lord, I’m just a lonesome soul, And I’m too proud to cry.” He whispers back through the rustlin’ spruce, “My son, you’re not alone— Your dog’s just run ahead of you, To fetch you when you’re home.” (Bridge) I stoke that fire and pick my tune, On this cracked old mandolin, And I swear I hear him scratch the door, Like he wants to come back in. The flames, they flicker warm and gold, The stars keep watch above, And somewhere past that great divide, He waits with endless love. (Verse 3) So I’ll keep ridin’ ridge to ridge, Till the Good Lord calls my name, I’ll walk that trail to Heaven’s gate, And things won’t be the same. I’ll see my hound come tearin’ through, Across them fields of grace, And Jesus smilin’, hat in hand, With light upon His face. (Final Chorus) So I talk to Jesus ‘neath the stars, Where the pine trees bend and sigh, Sayin’, “Lord, I’m just a broken man, But I’m learnin’ not to cry.” He says, “The ones you’ve loved and lost, Ain’t lost to you, my friend— For love don’t die in wilderness, It circles ‘round again.” (Outro) Now the fire’s low, the night grows deep, The world’s gone still and wide, But I ain’t walkin’ quite alone— There’s two sets of steps beside. One’s the Lord, so kind and near, The other’s my old hound’s tread, And I thank the stars and whisper low— “I’ll see you both ahead.”