West Of Winton - Slim Dusty

His eyes were used to distance and he talked much with his hands

I guess he sort of felt hemmed in a stranger to this land

And a lifestyle of another time, another time and place

Was written there deep in the lines of this old bushman’s face.

His attire was still in keeping with the far out channel lands

There was still a strength of character in his hard old bushman’s hands

And his old hat tilted forward was as much a part of him

As the 80 years of livin' that showed, underneath the brim.

Just somewhere west of Winton mate is where I’d rather be

To ride out in the dawn time, Mitchell to my horses knee

Unroll my swag beside a fire of some long forgotten camp

If I listen close maybe I’ll hear a tethered night horse stamp.

Just to see again the sunsets as the night falls on the land

Oh the silent sound of beauty makes the proudest heart expand

Where the lights of some old homestead beam a warm and welcome glow

And no travellin' soul went hungry in those days of long ago.

I see a dried up sandy creekbed when the dry comes much too soon

Watch the wild mob paw for water 'neath an early rising moon

Maybe I’ll see the dust cloud rising from the travellin' mob again

Hear the whips crack on the tailers as they cross the open plain.

Just somewhere west of Winton mate is where I’d rather be

To ride out in the dawn time, Mitchell to my horses knee

Unroll my swag beside a fire of some long forgotten camp

If I listen close maybe I’ll hear a tethered night horse stamp.