ODE OF WELCOME.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 June 1901, Page 2

ODE OF WELCOME.

The following is the text of the ode of welcome to be sung at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Town Hall at Wellington, on Wednesday, the 18th, the words being by Mr S. Clarke Johnson and the music by Mr J. Maughan Barnett :

Arise Zealandia! High occasion waits A Royal squadron crowds thy rocky gates;

The Heir of Empire proudest message brings O’er ocoau highways from the home of kings. Bo glad, 0 Land ! uplift exultant voice; With mightiest song let every heart rejoice !

Let shout go forth o’er mountain, stream, and plain, And break triumphant o’er the resounding main!

Refrain. With a hail 1 all hail! From tho isles of the southmost sea ; Our song shall ring, “God save the King, And his people Great and Free I” Wo hail ye, Prince and Princess fair, Oar hearts their loyal welcome sing ; Thrice happy strains our geetings bear To Son and daughter of the King. Tho waves surge jubilant on the strand, The roaring guns make martial din. And all tho bright rejoicing land Now bids ye enter—enter m. Yen, enter in ; behold a prosperous land ! The wond'rous beauty that the Lord hath planned; Tho strong foundation by our fathers laid, The busy cities which their sons have made. This day your Royal hands help us to build A splendid pile to noble purpose willed; Worthy our thanks this act of princely grace That well end truly gives the stone its place. Now let tho loud and glorious strains arise. In praise and gratitude for plenteous good ; In suppliant yearning that the Groat Alb wise Will bind with strong.h our cords of Nationhood; Will ever guide and bless the Regal feet Which tread the purple Steps of Britain’s throne; Will make the hearts and hands of Em-

pire meet, And keep our rulers and our People one. With a Hail I all hail I From the hies of the southmost sea Our song, shall ring, God save the King, And his Empire Great and Free I”