[Verse 1]
Out on a friend’s ranch at sundown,
Workin’ a colt by the pen,
Dust hangin’ low in the twilight glow,
Just me, that young horse, and the wind.
Saw eyes on the hill start glimmerin’,
Two coyotes watchin’ the show,
They looked too calm, too fearless, too close—
And my gut said it’s time to go.
[Verse 2]
Pup was sittin’ down by the water,
Just where I told him to stay,
Zeb was leanin’ by the ol’ flatbed,
Keepin’ the dark at bay.
Now Zeb, he can’t see nothin’ no more,
But that heart of his still burns,
And when the wild things start to circle close,
That ol’ dog still stands firm.
[Chorus]
‘Cause Zeb’s still the ultimate ranch dog,
Even though he’s blind as night.
He don’t need eyes to see what’s wrong,
He just feels what ain’t quite right.
He don’t bark wild, he don’t flinch or f***t,
He just rumbles low and tight—
Yeah, Zeb’s still the ultimate ranch dog,
And that old boy’s still got his f***t.
[Verse 3]
I heard that growl roll soft and low,
Like thunder cross the plains,
Thought it might be storm clouds risin’,
But it was Zeb just drawin’ his line again.
Four coyotes slid through the shadows,
Slinkin’ close on every side,
And there stood Zeb, calm as stone,
With his nose turned to the night.
[Bridge]
Well I gathered up Pup and the halter rope,
Loaded ‘em both in the truck,
Didn’t want no brawl in the midnight dust,
Didn’t wanna push my luck.
But as I shut that tailgate slow,
Zeb lifted his head up high,
And I swear that dog was grinnin’ proud,
Like he’d still guard till the day he dies.
[Chorus]
Yeah, Zeb’s still the ultimate ranch dog,
Even though he’s lost his sight.
He don’t need eyes to guard my soul,
He just feels the wrong from right.
He don’t spook, he don’t run, he don’t hide—
He’s steady as the desert light.
Yeah, Zeb’s still the ultimate ranch dog,
And that old boy’s still got his f***t.
[Outro]
Some folks fade when the darkness falls,
But not that faithful friend of mine.
He may not see them coyotes crawl,
But his spirit sure still shines.
So here’s to the dogs that never quit,
When the day turns into night—
Old Zeb’s still the ultimate ranch dog,
And Lord, he’s still got his f***t.