The Tax Collector's Dog

I hear what you're saying,

'Who is that lazy dog,

basking in the sunlight

like a lizard on a log.

Well, I'm here to tell you

life was not always great,

there was a time I was despised,

the dog you love to hate.

It was not my fault,

my master was to blame.

He was a tax-collector,

Zacceus by name.

He was not the sort of fellow

everyone would greet,

he, simply, was not honest,

a liar and a cheat.

He would overstate their taxes,

charge them double fee.

So, when the people left him,

they'd take it out on me.

They'd kick me and they'd chase me

call me awful names.

They'd try to tie my tail in knots

and other horrid games.

Zaccheus was so mingy

I hardly got a feed.

He was a lowly human

a servant to his greed.

I was feeling lower

than a pimple on a frog .

Life was never easy for

The tax-collector's dog.

One day a great crowd gathered

all around the square.

They were all excited

'cause some great man was there.

Zaccheus was a small man

so he couldn't see.

He kicked the ground in anger

and climbed up in a tree.

There was great excitement,

it was electric air.

Some were milling, some were pointing,

some could only stare.

I couldn't see the reason

why they were all agog.

Humans are all much the same

to a tax-collectors dog.

Zaccheus then got a shock,

near fell in a bunch.

The man said, “Zaccheus, come down,

you're going to give me lunch."

They did, they ate together

right in that sinner's house.

Someone was heard to call out,

"Why're you eating with that louse?"

There was anger and resentment,

the air was filled with moans.

I began to pay attention

when I saw them pick up stones.

Their mood was getting ugly,

like a gator in a bog.

I decide this was no place

for a tax-collector's dog.

The great man looked out at them.

Quelled them with a stare.

He said, "Wherever I am

sinners must be there.

For I came from the Father

to lead the wayward home,

so they walk with a purpose

not just, aimless, roam.

Zaccheus has, this day,

accepted my salvation.

To each of you that he has wronged

he'll make reparation."

From that day onward

he's been a different bloke.

Gave away his money

'till I feared that he'd go broke.

I don't know who that man was

but I could feel His love,

there seemed enough for everyone

just like God above.

Whenever I think of Him

tears fill my eyes like fog.

'cause, as he left, he scratched the ears

of this tax-collectors dog.