The Song of Australia

Henry Lawson, 1908

      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 tonight;
      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.