Old Gilbert Songtext
von Slim Newton

Gilbert was just 18 years of age
When he first took himself a wife
But she proved to be unfaithful
So the swaggin′ open road became his life
He turned bitter against all women
Only used them when he could
And he only had contempt for other men
He worked and drank and wandered
All alone except for one
A mangy old blue heeler for a friend

Years ago old Gilbert found a puppy
By the roadside left to die
Hungry and frightened nearly
Frozen 'neath the frosty southern sky
Gilbert picked him up and raised him
And a bond of friendship grew
A friendship that was never known to bend


Then one day Gilbert woke to find
His old track mate was gone
And he began a search that never was to end

Gilbert used to work awhile
And then he′d go to town on one big spree
Oh it was the only way he knew
To ease the pain of hurtful memories
So in a coastal town while Gilbert
Drank away his cares
His old dog was impounded there and so
When they couldn't find its owner
The dog was put to sleep
And perhaps it's best if Gilbert never knows


Gilbert roamed from town to town
Still searching for the friend he′d never find
Oh it was the final blow from fate
That really turned the old man′s twisted mind
He was ridiculed in barrooms
He was laughed at in the streets
Still searching for his friend across the land
Till someone found him dead one day
'Neath a table in a park
With a collar and a chain clutched in his hand

Years ago old Gilbert found a puppy
By the roadside left to die
Hungry and frightened nearly
Frozen ′neath the frosty southern sky
Gilbert picked him up and raised him
And a bond of friendship grew
A friendship that was never known to bend
Then one day Gilbert woke to find
His old track mate was gone
And he began a search that only death could end