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Nellie McKay sings "The Dog Song"

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I’d like to dedicate this next song to Carmelo, who was put to sleep a couple of days ago, because he got too old. But apparently he was a very nice dog and he always let the cat sleep in the dog bed.

♫ (Dog panting noise) Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. ♫

♫ I'm just a'walking my dog, singing my song, strolling along. ♫

♫ Yeah, it's just me and my dog, catching some sun. We can't go wrong. ♫

♫ My life was lonely and blue. ♫

♫ Yeah, I was sad as a sailor, ♫

♫ I was an angry 'un too. ♫

♫ Then there was you -- appeared when I was entangled with youth and fear, ♫

♫ and nerves jingle jangled, vermouth and beer were getting me mangled up. ♫

♫ But then I looked in your eyes ♫

♫ and I was no more a failure. ♫

♫ You looked so wacky and wise. ♫

♫ And I said, "Lord, I'm happy, 'cause I'm just a'walking my dog, ♫

♫ catching some sun. We can't go wrong." ♫

♫ Yeah, it's just me and my dog, singing our song, strolling along. ♫

♫ 'Cause I don't care about your hating and your doubt, ♫

♫ and I don't care what the politicians spout. ♫

♫ If you need a companion, why, just go out to the pound, ♫

♫ and find yourself a hound, and make that doggie proud, ♫

♫ 'cause that's what it's all about. ♫

♫ (Dog panting noise) Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. ♫

♫ My life was tragic and sad. ♫

♫ I was the archetypal loser. ♫

♫ I was a pageant gone bad. ♫

♫ And then there was you -- on time, and wagging your tail ♫

♫ in the cutest mime that you was in jail. ♫

♫ I said, "Woof, be mine!" and you gave a wail and then ♫

♫ I was no longer alone. ♫

♫ And I was no more a boozer. ♫

♫ We'll make the happiest home. ♫

♫ And I said, "Lord, I'm happy, 'cause I’m just a'walking my dog, ♫

♫ singing my song, strolling along." ♫

♫ Yeah, it's just me and my dog, catching some sun. We can't go wrong, ♫

♫ 'cause I don't care about your hating and your doubt, ♫

♫ and I don’t care what the politicians spout. ♫

♫ If you need a companion, why, just go out to the pound, ♫

♫ and find yourself a hound, and make that doggie proud, ♫

♫ 'cause that's what it's all about, ♫

♫ that's what it's all about, ♫

♫ that's what it's all abou-BOW-WOW-WOW-WOW ♫

♫ that's what it's all about. ♫

♫ (Dog panting noise) Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. ♫

Good dog!

Thank you.

About The Speaker

Nellie McKay sings, croons, raps, grooves and -- barks? -- to glowing critical acclaim.
Full bio and more links

About This Talk

Animal fan Nellie McKay sings a sparkling tribute to her dear dog. She suggests we all do the same: "Just go right to the pound/ And find yourself a hound/ And make that doggie proud/ 'cause that's what it's all about."

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