Filthy clothes upon my back,
my sweaty body stinks.
I always travel on the tracks,
and whisky is my drink.
I'm just a tramp, a petty thief,
of truth, I'll tell you that.
Stealing food, just to survive,
they call me Oki Jack.

Been close to death, many times,
I'm not afraid to die.
And when I get to Satin's place,
I'll spit right in his eye.
My mother was a tramp like me,
no father can I claim.
As for this miserable life of mine,
that unknown man I blame.

Tis past midnight, I need some grub,
a place to rob I'll find.
A farmhouse sitting all alone,
is what I have in mind.
The fenced in yard, an unlocked gate,
a window can be pried.
And then I'll steel what er I need,
once I get inside.

The night is black, can't see a thing,
the way I'd hoped it'd be.
Now I can stalk around the house,
and no one can see me.
In the yard, the gate swings shut,
a terrible clatter makes.
I'm hoping now, with this loud noise,
the folks inside won't wake.

An unlocked window do I find,
my luck is holding good.
In the still, hot summer night,
things working like they should.
Just as I start to pry her up,
behind I hear a sound.
I know at once that I've been caught,
my presents has been found.

"Guess you got me" I implore,
hoping he's not armed.
"Just lookin' fer a thing to eat,
I didn't mean no harm".
Waiting now for his response,
still frozen where I stand.
But only hear his heavy breath,
I know he's close at hand.

Slowly, slowly turn around,
to see him face to face.
But as I stare out in the night,
there's only empty space.
Straining eyes and listening ears,
a shiver up my spine.
Is there really someone there,
or is it in my mind.

I take a step, again I freeze,
I hear a low, soft grown.
Is it man or is it beast,
or am I still alone.
I find my croaking voice again,
and once again implore.
"I didn't mean to hurt a thing,
it's only food I'm for".

Time now slowly passing by,
a minute seems like hours.
I visualize my lonely grave,
for me they'll be no flowers.
Man or beast, or spirit lurks,
on this hot summer night.
My heart is pounding like a drum,
it's giving me a freight.

As I peer out in the dark,
I sense some creature near.
Looking down in front of me,
unblinking eyes appear.
Black pupils circled, irus gold,
some brown fur on it's face.
A guard dog standing resolute,
to keep me in my place.

I start to move, just so slight,
to test his firm resolve.
He answers with a quick response,
from growling, tooth lined jaws.
He's got me trapped, I dare not move,
he surely will attack.
With his teeth, he'd doubtless rend,
the flesh right off my back.

A rattle snake, a coiled spring,
his muscles tense and strong.
Body lean and ears in trim,
he'll keep me all night long.
I'd rather face a firing squad,
the end would come real fast.
But this canine carnivore's,
content to make it last.

I study now his upturned head,
a weird grin on his face.
It's clear he loves this waiting game,
and if I run he'll chase.
His blood stained teeth, a testament,
of what he has in mind.
He's telling me, just by his looks,
that I'm the eatin' kind.

To God above, I do entreat,
please let this dog desist.
My broken life is in your hands,
your will, I won't resist.
If you'll only call him off,
and let me walk away.
I'll turn around this worthless life,
and follow you, I prey.

A miracle, the hand of God,
call it what you may.
But suddenly, without a sound,
the guard dog walked away.
Slowly, slowly to the gate,
then quickly I slip out.
And when it's safely latched behind,
I'm left without a doubt.

My lives been spared, my body's whole,
and now I'm free to go.
This guard dog's done the work of God,
and saved my living soul.
From this day on, my life will changed,
I'll follow after God.
An irony, a fateful twist,
I've been converted by a dog.

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