He travelled the west and the north, south and east of this land On horseback and camel, through the dust and the heat and the sand New virgin country he came, and he saw and he tamed And his empire he carved, like the leather that made him his name Not one step of the way did he follow where others had been He set out to conquer the world at the age of fifteen From bagman and swagman to a mansion with white tie and tails Born well like good leather, but still wearing well just the same But he always went back to the bush, he always came back to the start Back where he knew he would always find peace in his heart For he's an Australian tradition that everyone knows From that hat that you're wearing right down to the tips of your toes He's one of the old breed, a pioneer hardy and game And his empire he carved, like the leather that made him his name But he always went back to the bush, he always came back to the start Back where he knew he would always find peace in his heart Now money and fame can't buy all that we need in this life All the tinsel and trappings may only bring trouble and strife You can't beat a good mate, a campfire and a billy of tea That's why I get the feeling our M was no different to me But he always went back to the bush, he always came back to the start Back where he knew he would always find peace in his heart R.M. Williams, a great Australian legend He always came back to the bush, he always came back to the start Back where he knew he would always find peace in his heart