[Verse 1]
It was early just on sunrise he rode into the station
Needed work, said he could put his hand to any occupation
We thought he was a swaggie, a modern one at that
The man up in the saddle 'neath an old and battered hat
The saddle held a wealth of joys to our young eager eyes
A quart pot and a billy, saddle bags with leather ties
A swag rolled up behind it held all his worldly goods
Just two clean sets of working clothes and one spare pair of boots
[Verse 2]
He was clean and softly spoken, and when he talked at all
Just a few words were delivered in a quiet country drawl
But his work was good and honest, and he never caused a fuss
And we learnt to respect him in the time he spent with us
He was not as young as he used to be, but neither was his horse
I asked him why he drifted, but he wouldn't tell, of course
He said that after all these years, he was too old now to change
He didn't think that anything about his life was strange
[Verse 3]
One day as we sat talking down by the stockmen's quarters
I asked him if he had a wife or any sons and daughters
He stared into the distance, then he answered through clenched jaws
"Just you leave me to my life, and I'll leave you to yours"
I felt like I'd betrayed him, cut his heart out with a knife
For I knew he didn't like it when I asked about his life
And though I said, "I'm sorry," he sadly turned away
I didn't mean to pry and I regret it to this day
[Verse 4]
It was early just on sunrise on a clear blue summer day
He packed up all his worldly goods and slowly rode away
I wondered, "Where's he going?" I wondered, "Where's he been?"
The man up in the saddle, we would never see again