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This poem is written in tribute to the West Highland terrier dog, Greyfriars Bobby of Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, Scotland. This legendary dog kept watch on his master's grave for fourteen years, until his own death in the year 1872. I have dedicated this work to Bobby, and on behalf of him to the whole canine race, from the pedigree to the mongrel.
Britain sings her praises
From the Severn to the Clyde
About dogs who have brought honor
And in the course of duty died
They who have found the traveler
Half dead on the mountain slope
And have carried to the victims
Lifesaving brandy, faith and hope
All these dogs have done their duty
Earning their country's praise
Their names are written in history
To be remembered all their days
They have earned the undying glory
Shining round their canine name
And have earned the right to drink
From the cup of lasting fame.
John Gray was a policeman trained
Used to keeping law and order
A finer lawman never walked
Across the Scottish border
Walking proudly by his side
Enjoying the patrolling game
Was a faithful Highland Terrier
And Bobby was his name
Night after night the twain did tread
The Lawnmarket's ins and outs
Where rough men drank the night away
Disturbing the peace with their ribald shouts
Night after night the twain did guard
The good folk who tried to sleep
Until the morning light appeared
Their vigil they would keep
John Gray became so sick and died
And Bobby grieved quite sore
When his beloved master was borne
Through Greyfriars churchyard door
The little dog followed the sorrowing crowd
To the grave so dark and deep
Taking it into his shaggy head
On that lonely mound to sleep
No greater love was ever known
For a dead man and his loyal friend
The bonds forged by the twain in life
Were never meant to end
Through cloud and sunshine without fail
That grave was guarded well
How many tears that little dog shed
No human tongue can tell
To Greyfriars' holy ground there came
One dark and dismal day
The news that loyal Bobby's soul
From this Earth had passed away
Can it be the twain have met
Where parting is no more
And together patrol that vast expanse
On that great eternal shore?