The Flag of Our Destinies
The Flag of Our Destinies - meaning Summary
Nationhood and Responsibility
Lawson celebrates Australian nationhood and duty, imagining the six-starred flag flying at every port as a symbol of shared destiny. The poem asserts pride in a century of collective labour, vows to keep the flag "unstained," and calls for moral strength whether in peace or war. It balances modesty about the past with commitment to preserve national honour for future generations.
Read Complete AnalysesWith our boundaries swung to the circling seas and a nation named to the world! And the six-starred flag of our destinies on every port unfurled! God grant from Greed or the dust of sleep – or the right by a lie maintained – From all save our blood, if we must, we’ll keep the silver and blue unstained! We yield no praise and we speak no blame, for our history ‘s weeds and flowers – But the work of a hundred years we claim as our father’s work and ours! Through peace to prosper or war to save – wherever the future runs – May God make noble and strong and brave the hearts of our father’s sons.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.