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.