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.