When I left from Sydney,
I was miles from my childhood home.
When I left from Sydney,
I was miles from my childhood home.
I was just 18 and I felt so all alone.
No money in my pocket
and my feet hot on the ground.
No money in my pocket and my feet hot on the ground.
I jumped a freight at Kempsey on my way to Brisbane town.
Three o'clock in the morning
and the train was rolling on.
It was three o'clock in the morning and that freight was rolling on.
All night long it thundered
on to all the rising sun.
Now the guards are searching all over
and I know they were looking for me.
Now the guards are searching all over
and I know they were looking for me.
In the chain locker,
just as still as I could be.
Now Mr. Guardman,
won't you please let me stay on board?
Hey Mr. Guardman,
won't you let me stay on board?
He said you can stay a while son,
but you better watch you don't get trouble with the law.
So I had to jump before the switchyard,
bruised and bloodied hands and knees.
Had to jump before the switchyard,
bruised and bloodied hands and knees.
I went to sleep on a summer morning,
under a jacaranda tree.