BONNY SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1151, 22 October 1869, Page 3

BONNY SOUTHLAND.

My home, bonpy Southland, my home e'er shall be. Where the banner waves over the hearts of the fi*«, ... . Where the heel of the despot or alien ne'er trod, And the laws of the land are the laws of our God. My home, bonny Southland, my home is with thee, Till the pulses of life cease to vibrate in me, When the old pass away, then young heroes shall stand, And rally around their own dear Fatherlaad. Methinks, bonny Southland, I see a dark cloud, And the voice of the thunder rolls awful and loud — 'Tia the cloud of misfortune, which darkens thy life, £ And thy sons are engaged in the thunder of strife. Arrayed in their armour the combatants stand, Here the leal and the true — there the renegade band— And the traitorous host, who, like Esau of old, Their birthright would sell — not for pottage— but gold. 'lis the good old-world battle for freedom and right, Independence the war cry, and justice the might, When the foes of the free men, the leal and the brave, Are scattered like foam on the crest of the wave. It is thus with us ever, since old Time was young, And History speaks with her trumpet-like tongue Bear witness Morgarten, Sempach, and the flight Of the coward oppressor from Bannockburn'e fight. It is thus that the battle of freedom begun, Though baffled by tyrants is sure to be won ;• Though Faction the bulwark of Truth may assail, The right is the might and shall ever prevail. And thus, bonny Southland, thou yet shall arise, And nations extol thee aloft to the skies, While the traitor and coward in infamy rot — Their deeds all remembered, their names all forgot. May the time never come, bonny Southland, I pray, When cravens shall barter thy freedom away ; When the stranger and alien shall rule, and thy name Shall be blotted for aye from the records of fame. My home, bonny Southland, my home e'er shall be, Where the banner waves ovei the hearts of the free, Where the heel of the alien or despot ne'er tro 1, , And the laws of the land are the laws of our God.

f" Blot freedom's battle once begun, - '■ Though ba%d oft is ever won." *■■■-■• ' Bteon.