Story Behind The Song
We've always been moved by lost, homeless men, and recently saw photographs that were so touching that they inspired this song. I have used this in a homelessness awareness program, where I stopped with each verse and the woman who teaches the children asked them questions about the story.
Song Description
Story of a homeless veteran who lives in the streets with his dog. In an otherwise tragic situation, the dog comforts the man and helps him live, and the man loves the dog, so the situation is somehow better.
| Song Length |
2:43 |
Genre |
Folk - General, Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving, Passive |
Subject |
Dogs, Recovery |
| Similar Artists |
Sarah Mclachlan, Alison Krauss |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
STRAYS
Carlene Thissen and Barbara Meyers
COUPLE OF STRAYS
Carlene Thissen and Barbara Meyers, copyright 2012 4/4 or 2/2
VERSE 1
He'd like to work but his mind goes blank
So our sign just says, "Please help us, thanks."
His tattered life is filled with patches
Old battle scars and a few new scratches
CHORUS -
We're just a couple of strays
on the sidewalk, every day
There's a shelter, but I can't go
He won't leave me here alone
Someone drops a dollar in our pail
He nods his thanks, I wag my tail
VERSE 2
I nudge him up when it's time to eat
We head for the dumpster at the café down the street
Everything we own is stuffed in our cart
My favorite bone, his purple heart
CHORUS
BRIDGE
We sleep in the alley, huddled close
Last year I swear we almost froze
Sometimes at night he wakes and screams
Someday I'll bite what's in my dreams
CHORUS - ABRUPT KEY CHANGE TO A
We're just a couple of strays
on the sidewalk, every day
There's a shelter, but I can't go
He won't leave me here alone
Someone drops a dollar in our pail
He nods his thanks, I wag my tail
CODA: / VAMP