AUSTRALASIA TO ENGLAND.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 233, 28 February 1885, Page 3

AUSTRALASIA TO ENGLAND.

(Written for the Observer.)

Br Thomas Shabps, Okehvkoa,

Flash the message to Old England the offer of our aid, And tell her that, though colonists, jet we are not afraid To give our gold, to ahed our blood, to aid with heart and hand The country from which we came — the 'dear old Motherland. Though oceans roll between U3, yet we bear the English name, Her deeds are ours, her heroe3 too, her old renown and fame ; We claim the right to aid her, and will cross the seas to prove Our courage and onr kinship, and our loyalty and lore. Think not, beeuise we dwell afar, we have forgot old ties, The claims of kin and Motherland are sacred in our eyes ; Heed not the soulless few who seek to bre-ik the heart-wove band That binds her children of the South to dear old Motherland. Our laws and liberties and rights we ail to England owe, But shall we in her hour of need our gratitude forego ? No ! we will fight in Britain's cause, so let the foe beware ! United we will stand or fall, or in the triumph share. O'er the burning sands of Egypt we will march on side by side, With the heroes of the Empire, the Nations hope and pride j And when before the foe we'll show, though changed our clime and place, We're of the stubborn English breed, the gallant Saxon race. Though some may never more return, 'twill be a glorious death To die teneath the British flag, to yield their parting breath For England's and for honour's sake. And oft we'll proudly tell, How Australasia's gallant sons in England's quarrel fell. Then take the help we proffer thee, for though the help be small, lii greater need, in darker hour, we'd freely give thee all. The old Horse spirit drives us forth to wander o'er the earth, Yet to that isle our hearts still cling, the land that gave us birth ; We hold it as our dearest right, our privilege and our pride, To be of English-speaking race, of Britain's Empire wide ; United we will fear no foe and laugh afc war's alai-nis, For England and her colonies defy a world in arms.