The Man Who Sang The Song
This song is a tribute both to Banjo Patterson, the Australian bush poet, and to someone I remember who used to occasionally perform this song on singers' nights. When I first saw him he did a very powerful rendition of the poem but as the years went by his performance became a bit shakey and the last time I saw him perform he got stuck with some of the words, until someone helped him out.
The man who sang the song "The Man From Snowy River"
Stood there looking nervous with a guitar in his hand
He said "this is the first time that I've ever sung in public
I hope you will be patient, I hope you'll understand"
He sung the poem of the story told by Banjo Patterson
Through his singing he conveyed the wonder of the song
Of a stockman who some thought was inspired by Jack Riley
A young and fearless stockman who was both brave and strong
Chorus
The horses were galloping and the horses were wheeling
Oblivious to danger the young stockman followed on
Down the shear slope of the mountain, getting ever closer
As the rhythm of the music carried him along
The man who sang the song "The Man From Snowy River"
Was standing on the stage looking tall and confident
He was older and his black hair now was laced with silver
As he sang the song we knew every single word was meant
He sang the song as a story you might hear round the campfire
The candour in his eyes told us every word was true
How the stockman on his pony chased those horses down the mountain
And finally through sheer will, those horses he subdued
chorus
The man who sang the song "The Man From Snowy River"
Was much older and it seemed his confidence had gone
Half way through he faltered and then he just stopped singing
"I'm sorry," he said, "I've got the words all wrong"
Then a youngster came up to him "I've got the words here Grandad"
Why not sing it to these people like you do at home for me
Then he handed him the paper and the Man from Snowy River
Came back to life with renewed energy
chorus
Well we clapped him and we cheered him as The Man From Snowy River
Stood grinning down at us from that floodlit stage
As he walked away his snowy hair was darkened by the shadows
And the spring in his step now belied his age
The horses were galloping and the horses were wheeling
Oblivious to danger the young stockman followed on
Down the shear slope of the mountain, getting ever closer
As the rhythm of the music carried him along
chorus