LITTLE DOG, BRAND-NEW DAY Bubba Patrick featuring Trigger [Intro — bright acoustic guitar and a short harmonica phrase] [Verse 1 — Bubba, male lead] I had plans to spend the morning in my bathrobe, Let the coffee get acquainted with my chair. Trigger had a different kind of schedule, Started bringing walking equipment over there. First the leash, then one of my old sneakers, Then a look that said the meeting couldn’t wait. I said, “Boy, you’re awful small to be the foreman.” He was already standing by the gate. [Chorus — Bubba] Little dog, brand-new day, Four white feet showing me the way. We don’t need to get too far, Just past the mailbox, see where we are. I brought a pocket full of yesterday, He found a stick and wanted to play. One more corner, we’ll be okay— Little dog, brand-new day. [Verse 2 — Bubba] Down Crown Parkway, he inspected every stop sign, Like somebody left a message overnight. Then he stood beside an ordinary ant hill, Giving it a full examination twice. Three squirrels held a meeting up a pine tree, Trigger offered comments from below. I said, “I’m pretty sure they heard you, buddy. We got half the neighborhood that knows.” [Chorus — Bubba] Little dog, brand-new day, Four white feet showing me the way. We don’t need to get too far, Just past the mailbox, see where we are. I brought a pocket full of yesterday, He found a stick and wanted to play. One more corner, we’ll be okay— Little dog, brand-new day. [Instrumental — playful harmonica and light banjo] [Verse 3 — Bubba] We stopped a little while by Hampton Pond, Watched a ripple travel underneath the trees. I could hear a mower somewhere in the distance, Feel the morning getting warmer on my sleeves. Nothing on my list had gotten shorter, And I still had that appointment Friday noon. But I sent a friend a picture of old Trigger, Said, “We’re out here. Want to join us sometime soon?” [Bridge — Bubba, softer] He doesn’t ask me why I’m quiet, Doesn’t mind me taking time. He’ll sit beside the bench a minute, Then find something else to sniff nearby. I’m learning I can have a heavy morning And still step out to see what’s down the street. Today I got a little fresh air, And a walking partner waiting at my feet. [Final Chorus — Bubba, warmer and fuller] Little dog, brand-new day, Four white feet showing me the way. We don’t need to get too far, There’s a friendly face and a passing car. I brought a pocket full of yesterday, Came back with a story I could tell today. Same old sidewalk, something changed— Little dog, brand-new day. [Outro — acoustic guitar and piano] [Bubba — spoken, warmly] Well, we got our exercise. [Short harmonica answer] [Bubba — spoken] You inspected eleven mailboxes, And I remembered to wave at somebody. [Bubba — softly sung] Set your leash beside the doorway, We’ll head out again one day. Little dog, Brand-new day. [End — cheerful harmonica flourish]
