Slim Dusty - Trumby lyrics

Trumby was a ringer A good one too at that He could rake and ride a twister Throw a rope and fancy plait He could count a line a saddle A man lost in the night Trumby was a good boy but he couldn't read or write Trumby was dependable He never took to beer The boss admired him so much One day made him overseer It never went to Trumby's head He didn't boast or skite Trumby was a good boy but he couldn't read or write The drought was on the country The gra** in short supply The tanks were getting lower and the water holes near dry Cattle started dying And relief was not insight To estimate the losses Trumby couldn't read or write He rode around the station pulling cattle from the bog To save them being torn apart by eagles crows and dogs He saw a notice on a tree It wasn't there last night Trumby tried to understand but he couldn't read or write On bended knee down in the mud Trumby had a drink Swung the reigns and to his horse said "We go home I think" "Tell 'im boss about the sign, 'im read 'im good alright" "One day boss's missus teach 'im Trumby read and write" Well concern was felt for Trumby He hadn't used his bed Next day beside that muddy hole they found the ringer dead And a piece of tin tied to a tree then caught the boss's eye He read the words of 'Poison Here' And signed by Dogger Bry Now the stock had never used that hole along that stony creek And Trumby's bag was empty It has frayed and sprung a leak The dogs were there in hundreds And the dogger in his plight Told the boss he never knew poor Trumby couldn't read or write Now Trumby was a ringer As solid as a post His skin was black but his heart was white and that's what mattered most Sometimes I think how sad it is in this world with all its might That a man like Trumby met his d**h because he couldn't read or write Couldn't read or write Couldn't read or write