歌曲名 So Long, Old Mates (1996 Digital Remaster)

歌手名 Slim Dusty

作曲：Lisa Chilcott

Where are the mates I used to have

I wonder where they are

Some still wander and some made good

And others traveled far

Some have gathered their gear and gone

To a better land or worse

Their load was heavy the passing years

Is the weight that oldsters curse

When we were young and the world was wide

And the longest day not hard

We would joke our way from dawn to dark

Through the mob in the branding yard

One I remember when I was there

Who helped me in early years

When I was the butt of the stockrail jokes

He taught me to take the jeers

In life he didn't amount to much

He came from further out

He was only a lanky coloured lad

A station rouse about

I've thanked him often in after life

For the things he taught me then

He guided my youth through the stockman's life

In the hard tough world of men

Although he didn't amount to much

All that he had he gave

He was white enough and man enough

To rest in a soldier's grave

Forgotten by most of the ones he knew

And those of his tribal tree

The world forgetting the world forgot

Except by mates like me

So long old mate from early days

Wherever you may be

May the grass be green and the water good

From care may your days be free

I've traveled a span of the road of life

And I've learned to understand

Through mate ship the way

it was meant to be

Has no colour creed nor land