Gurt Dog - Blog Posts

The English band Faustus created this beautiful song based around the legend of the Gurt Dog of Somerset. It was featured on their October 2016 album Death and Other Animals. The song highlights the protective nature of the Gurt Dog and tells a tale of a child that wandered at night only to be ushered home by a large, gentle canine friend. 

Soundly dream, Sweetly dream, Close your ears and pray. Gurt Dog howls, On the prowl, For children who’ve run away. 

A muzzle pushed into my palm, Velvet it was and warm. The hills were kind, the moor was small, I’d soon be safely home. 

He galloped me up to my door, I stretched to kiss his nose. Then climbed back into my fleece-lined bed, Dry down to my clothes.

The Black Dogs of England are said to be violent predictors of death and doom, but that is not always the case. The Gurt Dog (“Great Dog”) is said to wander around Quantock Hills in Somerset, England, and it is different compared to its fellows. The Gurt Dog is said to be a kind and gentle protector of those that wander the moors. It is specifically a protector to small children and legend says that the Gurt Dog watches over children that play alone and will even help guide lonely travelers.