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