Lyrics
Andrew's Ride
by Noel Downs copyright 4 Feb 2001.
"Andrew! come here quickly",
Came his mother's desperate cry.
"Your father needs a doctor,
I'm afraid that he may die!"
Andrew, the eldest still at home,
Was a bright, reliable lad.
His handsome, facial features,
Were like those of his dad.
His mother bade him safe journey,
Then mouthed a silent prayer.
Crushed his body to her,
And brushed her lips upon his hair.
He saddled up the fastest horse,
A well bred reliable hack.
Made off at a cracking pace,
Along Fremantle track.
It was not a dangerous journey,
But mothers worry still.
Harriette waited by her fire,
Which helped fight off the chill.
Her anxious, heart felt worry,
Slowly turned to dread and tears.
Still she kept a praying vigil,
That sounds of hope might fill her ears.
As dawn moved slowly closer,
Her boy was long past due.
She steeled herself against the pain,
And a terror that she knew.
When first light started breaking,
Harriette headed off alone.
Praying she would find her Andrew safe,
Still on his journey home.
She found his broken body,
Where his horse had tripped,
It's foot still caught in the hole,
Which had caused this fatal slip.
Life had dealt again, a crushing blow,
Wanting to give up and die.
Wanting just to hold her son,
But there just wasn't any time.
With a strength incomparable,
Duty drove her on.
She had to save her husband,
The cost so far, a son.
She freed his lifeless form,
And covered it with scrub.
Then gave her darling Andrew,
A final loving, hug.
Picked up the need medicine,
From Andrews saddle bag.
A final glance at Andrew,
There wasn't time to lag.
Her mind now blocked to all,
But her husband's need.
To the pain within her,
She seemed to pay no heed.
Her neighbours sent a wagon,
To collect the boy's remains.
Part of her will cry forever,
And will never be the same.
A mother of so many,
She can't spare time for her loss,
Just another of her dreams,
Buried in the family plot.
Historical Note: Andrew Postans was born in Pinjarra Western Australia, 1866, was the ninth of sixteen children of Harriette. They moved to Hope Valley (25 km south of Fremantle) in 1880. In 1882 his father George was so ill, it was feared he would die, Andrew was sent for help. Historical writings say he was fourteen at the time, dates show that he may have been older, between fifteen and sixteen years of age. He was the third of five of her children to die through illness or misfortune.
