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Shilpa KarhikThe Song of Australia by Henry Lawson
November 7th 2006 22:45
The Song of Australia
by
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 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.
Henry Lawson (1867-1922) is one of the most famous and most popular of all Australian writers. His writings were a significant influence upon the development of the Australian culture and national identity, and played a strong part in the expression of that identity. He was a prolific writer whose significant output continued until his death in 1922.
by
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 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.
Henry Lawson (image from Wikipedia)
Henry Lawson (1867-1922) is one of the most famous and most popular of all Australian writers. His writings were a significant influence upon the development of the Australian culture and national identity, and played a strong part in the expression of that identity. He was a prolific writer whose significant output continued until his death in 1922.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Thanks for this.
when I was about 9 years old my teacher gave me a book of Henry Lawson's poetry, I think I was a little young to appreciate it, even though I was an outstanding school student.
I love to use my intelligence, mind and brain but I am not addicted to hard work unless there is some sort of return.
That frees me from the usual restrictions made on those who diligently follow restricted patterns of learning imposed by Universities etc.
I love my freedom.
You've unlocked for me some very old memories, I am glad someone else enjoys our poetry writing forebears and I'd like to see this Henry Lawson Poem set to music, with no apologies for being white and liking it, just as those who are black are encouraged to like it.
That is not a racist comment just an appreciation of self and heritage. I make no apologies for the colour of my skin, just as others are not expected to.
Political correctness has its innocent victims and is not always correct.
katyzzz
Comment by jasmine
thanks for the comment. It's starnge when you reconnect with something from childhood, it brings back a sense of the time that is a precious reminder of little incideneces thatwe may have forgotten. I'm glad this poem sparked such memories for you. I think it would be great to hear this poem set to music, great idea, pity I am not musical.
I suppose the poem could be construed as rascist, but I think that really it is just a product of its time and we should not erase all facets of the past that don't agree with how society feels now.
jasmine