Do you know I'm just sitting here just thinking some
Of things that I remember ever so long now ago
And if any in life any ever had a mentor in life
I've had one since I was only five years old it's so
I first met Fred Brumby when I was five years old
I wondered across the road that mildest spring day
He was chopping wood as I remember away back then
And he tipped his hat and simply said ,, I SAY ,,,
WHAT BRINGS YOU OVER YOUNG TERRY SUTTON
As he sat down upon a log there waiting to be split
I told him I wanted to see what he was doing there
He just said IM SPLITTING LOGS AND THAT'S ABOUT IT
Well I've known that man all of my entire life long
Ever so much I know of bush craft I learned from him
Along with a hundred other things as well of country life
To meet a man that ever knew more chances would be slim
He was the best knife hand in town for butchering meat
Built almost every country fence in that town up hill and dale
He was a perfectionist in all he ever did or took on in life
He built houses as his father did , was an expert on a nail
This man worked on prperties all around the lower Snowy
Knew all there was about farming and husbandry that's to know
I learned a little of what I know about animal chiropatrics
From my mentor Fred Brumby it's all very true and so
He made as many stock whips as a lot that ever did
And every soul for a hundred miles they all know Fred
They all I'd say owe him a favour or two maybe a few
A tall gentle giant never smoked or drank or a bad word said
I'd rang him monthly from all over this world as best I could
And to ask how my oldest real mate was going on the day
I rang him last of all what seems not that long ago in time
And one of his lovely daughters said Terry he's past away
This man was in the second world war away back then
He and his wife Gwen married on the same day of my birth
I could sit and write an entire book of fred Brumby it's true
And still would not be able to mention all of him or his worth
Fred Brumby and his wife Gwen both lived in a town called TUMUT
Just below the Snowy Mountains peaks where the snow does fall
And where the melted snow and mountain springs as a trickle
Create the rivers of purest water up where the whip birds call
My God ,,, every now and then I still have to stop and think
I get the strongest urge to give my mate Fred a call it's true
But I don't think he'd be home now if I did give him a ring
He was always a part of my life since day one right through.