This song is about the relationship shared between Robert Plant and his blue-eyed Merle dog, which he named Strider after the character Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings series. This song was written in 1970 during Led Zeppelin’s occupation of the secluded cottage of Bron-Y-Aur in Gwynedd, Wales; a holiday home owned by a friend of Plant’s family.
Lyrics:
Ah, caught you smiling at me That's the way it should be Like a leaf is to a tree, so fine Ah, all the good times we had I sang love songs so glad Always smiling, never sad, so fine
As we walk down the country lane I'll be singing a song, hear me calling your name Hear the wind within the trees Telling Mother Nature 'bout you and me
Well, if the sun shines so bright Or on our way it's darkest night The road we choose is always right, so fine Ah, can your love be so strong When so many loves go wrong? Will our love go on and on and on and on and on and on?
As we walk down the country lanes I'll be singing a song, hear me calling your name Hear the wind within the trees Telling Mother Nature 'bout you and me
My, my La la la Come on now, it ain't too far Tell your friends all around the world Ain't no companion like a blue eyed Merle Come on now, well, let me tell you What you're missing, messin' 'round them brick walls
So of one thing I am sure It's a friendship so pure Angels singing all around my door, so fine Yeah, ain't but one thing to do Spend my natural life with you You're the finest dog I knew, so fine
When you're old and your eyes are dim There ain't no old Shep gonna happen again We'll still go walking down country lane I'll sing the same old song, hear me call your name
There doesn't seem to be anything here yet