Lyrics:

Way out back of the Coolgardie Round the turn of the century Two riders came out of the west They were lookin' for the colour of gold Trading on an old red blanket Took 'em in a young boy Passed him on to a pearl lugger That was Java bound outa Roebuck Bay The crew were mainly Manila men And the young boy must have known He'd never be back now Down in the red sand Manila-man got the machete Manila-man cut him down cold Die with the Balander boss on a lugger Could not have been more Than twelve years old Looking out on a clear sky As the sun beats down on her head A mother alone Fails to understand And as the long years go by Just an old red blanket to dry The tears for the son Who'll never be home Down in the red sand