V1: At the first light of dawn, working in the sun all day
Swinging that hump and a chop came down, covered in soot and stain
Smoke fills the Queensland sky, and the red fire sings
(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing
V2: Black bird of souls, will never be the same again
Once they took in the middle of the night, who can know their pain
From sun-up to sun-down, I still hear them sing
(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing
(bridge) Smoke and haze, swallowing the sun
Cash and play, a rain has come
Children of the islands, living out their days
North from South, black bird has came
(solo)
V3: Old folks remember, the bitter sweet days gone by
The Bundaberg news pumping it out, running all day and night
Some staunchy lady, waiting to toast the cane
(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing
(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing