Boris, My Shadow

Lyrics

Verse 1

Fourteen years and those bright eyes shine,
You follow every footstep, never far behind.
Pick up your ball and you’re bouncing on your feet,
“Come on, throw it, Dad!”—you never miss a beat.
Still quick as a flash when it’s flying through the air,
Then back again, tail wagging, for another go to spare.

Chorus

Oh, Boris, my shadow, my little faithful friend,
You’d chase that ball forever if the day would never end.
Then underneath a blanket, you lean yourself on me,
And there’s nowhere else in all the world
That either needs to be.
Oh, Boris, you bring laughter into everything we do,
There’s so much joy inside our home,
And so much comes from you.

Verse 2

Every day you come to work, you know where you belong,
Down at the seafarers’ centre, happily tagging along.
The seagulls come to visit and the games begin again,
You send a ripple round the room of laughter from our friends.
And when we’re home, straight to your bowl, you haven’t time to sit—
You know exactly what comes next: your precious Denty stick!

Chorus

Oh, Boris, my shadow, my little faithful friend,
You’d chase that ball forever if the day would never end.
Then underneath a blanket, you lean yourself on me,
And there’s nowhere else in all the world
That either needs to be.
Oh, Boris, you bring laughter into everything we do,
There’s so much joy inside our home,
And so much comes from you.

Verse 3

All evening you keep asking, “Could you let me out once more?”
I’ve barely found my seat again—you’re waiting by the door.
But nature isn’t calling; there’s a gate you must patrol,
Barking at the whole wide world—that’s your important role!
At something, or at nothing, you’ve a lot you need to say,
Then paws up in your basket at the closing of the day.

Bridge

Up the stairs behind us, at the bed you take your place,
We tuck the blanket round you, see that sleepy little face.
But somewhere in the darkness, you come burrowing underneath,
And settle by our feet until we feel your furry feet.
Morning brings a sniffing walk—each blade of grass is news,
But weekends mean a lie-in,
And we know which one you’d choose.

Final chorus

Oh, Boris, my shadow, my little faithful friend,
There’s another ball to throw, another lovely day to spend.
With your bright eyes and your happy smile, you make the ordinary glow,
You’re loved in every little way
A little dog can know.
Oh, Boris, our sweet Boris, wherever we may roam,
With you curled up beside us,
We know that we are home.

Outro

Fourteen years, still young at heart,
One more throw before we rest.
Then come beneath the blanket, love—
The part we both love best.