At The Beating Of A Drum

By Henry Lawson

Fear ye not the stormy future, for the Battle Hymn is strong,

And the armies of Australia shall not march without a song;

The glorious words and music of Australia's song shall come

When her true hearts rush together at the beating of a drum.

We may not be there to hear it – 'twill be written in the night,

And Australia's foes shall fear it in the hour before the fight.

The glorious words and music from a lonely heart shall come

When our sons shall rush to danger at the beating of the drum.

He shall be unknown who writes it; he shall soon forgotten be,

But the song shall ring through ages as a song of liberty.

And I say the words and music of our battle hymn shall come,

When Australia wakes in anger at the beating of a drum.