Intro: (x4) Verso 1: Bandit was a black lab daddy brought home He said, "Son he's yours from now on" Bandit looked at me, and he cocked his head Slept at night on the foot of my bed Verso 2: All that year, I can see him still Chasing after me, nipping at my heels Down to the bus stop, my new best friend Still waiting right there when I got home again And I thought we would be together Go on and on just like that, forever But, I was young back then I guess I just didn't know Little boys grow up and dogs get old Verso 3: He was my sidekick through thick and thin And he'd bark at my fish when I'd reel 'em in Summers came and went and we grew like weeds And I don't know if I raised him or he raised me And I thought we would be together Go on and on just like that, forever But, I was young back then I guess I just didn't know Little boys grow up and dogs get old Ponte: He was fourteen when I left for Tennessee And he came down the front porch steps a little slow I got down to hug his neck Said "you take care of Mom and Dad 'til I get home" "And be a good boy" "Now you be a good boy" And I thought we would be together Go on and on just like that, forever But, I was young back then God, I wish I didn't know Little boys grow up and dogs get old Outro: (x2)