The Old Saddle - Slim Dusty

I went back to the place where I worked as a lad

Just happened to be passing that way

I saw a few fellers there with a young horse

I walked up and just said G’Day

They said they’d heard of me but only by name

In stories passed down through the years

How I could break in a tough one and hang on a rough

one

I said don’t believe all you hear

The I took a stroll over to the old saddle shed

And there on a peg on the wall

I saw the same saddle I’d used years ago

More years than I care to recall

Oh I knew it was mine but I had to make sure

I lifted the flap up to see

Two initials I’d carved with an old pocket knife

Just a plain old P and a D

Had the same monkey straps that I plaited by hand

On a wet day with little to do

A worn saddle bag a quartpot and case

They were still hanging there too

That old saddle I said to the young feller in charge

He said I don’t think you’ll find its much good

But he looked at me straight said you can have it old

mate

I reckon that he understood

Yes take it old timer he said with a grin

Cause I reckon its yours anyway

I found your initials carved under the flap

I said you’d be back here one day

Now it hangs in office all polished and new

And the stirrup irons sparkle and shine

And if put to test would be good as the best

And I’m happy to say that its mine

Now I have a small grandson he’s only a boy

And if by chance he turns out a rover

I’ll take it down and just hand it over.