Nature's Gentleman

(album: Columbia Lane: The Last Sessions - 2004)

Down in a hole at 12 years old, helping his old man dig for gold
Underground in that cold dark air, young man learned that life is hard not fair
He grew up and left the mine, took what good jobs he could find
Like catching wild horses in the rocky river, shivering in the mountain air

But no formal education he just seemed to understand
How to be polite but free, nature's gentleman

In New South Wales, down around Jerilderie, on a big place they call [?]
Axe, horse and dog he was the best man on the job
When I was born he was 27 he taught bush skills an honest living
I hit him once, was forgiven by nature's gentleman

But no formal education he just seemed to understand
How to be polite but free, nature's gentleman

And through it all he raised a family
Put them right through school and now does he [?]
His wife of 50 years still hold hands

When I can I go and see him
He's turning gray and hard of hearing
But it feels good just to be near him
Nature's gentleman

But no formal education he just seemed to understand
How to be polite but free, nature's gentleman
But no formal education he just seemed to understand
How to be polite but free, nature's gentleman