Poem by Henry Lawson

The Song of Australia

The centuries found me to nations unknown – 
My people have crowned me and made me a throne; 
My royal regalia is love, truth, and light – 
A girl called Australia – I’ve come to my right. 

Though no fields of conquest grew red at my birth, 
My dead were the noblest and bravest on earth; 
Their strong sons are worthy to stand with the best – 
My brave Overlanders ride west of the west. 

My cities are seeking the clean and the right; 
My Statesmen are speaking in London to-night; 
The voice of my Bushmen is heard oversea; 
My army and navy are coming to me. 

By all my grim headlands my flag is unfurled, 
My artists and singers are charming the world; 
The White world shall know its young outpost with pride; 
The fame of my poets goes ever more wide. 

By old tow’r and steeple of nation grown grey 
The name of my people is spreading to-day; 
Through all the old nations my learners go forth; 
My youthful inventors are startling the north. 

In spite of all Asia, and safe from her yet, 
Through wide Australasia my standards I’ll set; 
A grand world and bright world to rise in an hour – 
The Wings of the White world, the Balance of Power. 

Through storm, or serenely – whate’er I go through – 
God grant I be queenly! God grant I be true! 
To suffer in silence, and strike at a sign, 
Till all the fair islands of these seas are mine.

1. The Poets of the Tomb
2. When the Bush Begins to Speak
3. The Bush Girl
4. Past Carin’
5. On the Wallaby

Print

1578 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version