Company

I left in desperation when hunger drove me out, Left behind a home and family when I went walkabout. I left all the cities, moved through the country towns Travelled ‘cross the Nullarbor, up the Darling Downs, I’ve been bleached by sun, crossed land flat or hilly, I’m never far away from, the burnt and blackened billy. Beside a lonely campfire I watched the stars so bright, Between despair and hope, rolled out for the night. I have seen a hundred miles, from words of a callous mouth, Travelled all the way up north, when work was all down south. From shearing shed to shearing shed; and as each shed cut out, I left with my master into the unknown doubt, I have rotted in the outback sun, when times have got too tough, The body stays and soul drifts on, when my master cried ‘enough.’ One more shed, one more try, to reach that mirage down the track … I’ve been the company of many; I am the swag upon their back.