Is Bob Dylan’s Poem About A Dead Dog Worth Five Figures?

noah | May 19, 2009 4:00 pm

A poem handwritten by a teenage Bob Dylan, which was published in his camp newspaper during the 1950s, is one of the many Dylan-related pieces of memorabilia that will be up for auction at Christie’s next month. The poem is expected to fetch at least $10,000 from some Dylan completist out there, with proceeds going to the camp; it’s after the jump. Be warned: If the idea of a drunk man beating a dog to death (because the dog “barked in joy”) is something that upsets you, you might want to proceed with caution. (Although I rather do like the meter employed by Dylan here, I have to say.)

“Little Buddy” Broken hearted and so sad Big blue eyes all covered with tears Was a picture of sorrow to see Kneeling close to the side Of his pal and only pride A little lad, these words he told me He was such a lovely doggy And to me he was such fun But today as we played by the way A drunken man got mad at him Because he barked in joy He beat him and he’s dying here today Will you call the doctor please And tell him if he comes right now He’ll save my precious doggy here he lay Then he left the fluffy head But his little dog was dead Just a shiver and he slowly passed away He didn’t know his dog had died So I told him as he cried Come with me son we’ll get that doctor right away But when I returned He had his little pal upon his knee And the teardrops, they were blinding his big blue eyes Your too late sir my doggy’s dead And no one can save him now But I’ll meet my precious buddy up in the sky By a tiny narrow grave Where the willows sadly wave Are the words so clear you’re sure to find Little Buddy Rest In Peace God Will Watch You Thru The Years Cause I Told You In My Dreams That You Were Mine

Bob Dylan [Christie’s]

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