God Bless Australia! Air: “God Save the King!” By William J. MacDonald. God bless Australia grand! God bless our native land, Our land we love! Free may she ever be, And all united we, Our Flag of Liberty Floating above! Be she a happy land; Foes, if they come, … [Read more...] about God Bless Australia [song, 5 October 1929]
SourceTrove
Autumn [poem, 26 May 1928]
Autumn. There’s blue in the sky, and there’s blue in the sea, And a blue mist is veiling the mountains from me. A blue wren is calling his mate from the bower, And there is the butterfly over the flower. There is gold in the sunshine and gold in the sand; And gold in the … [Read more...] about Autumn [poem, 26 May 1928]
The Border Route [poem by Roderic Quinn, 15 January 1925]
[Editor: A poem by Roderic Quinn.] The Border Route Nursed onward weary mile on mile A laggard mob and slow, Along the dusty Border route The travelling wethers go. The grassless earth, made bare by drought, Burns hot beneath their feet; A sun-browned drover rides … [Read more...] about The Border Route [poem by Roderic Quinn, 15 January 1925]
Mrs. C. J. Carleton: Songstress of Australia [9 September 1922]
[Editor: Article about the life of Caroline Carleton.] Mrs. C. J. Carleton. Songstress of Australia. By Mrs. Willettt Bevan. In 1831, when men of State in England were discussing the establishment of a chartered colony in South Australia, did the daughter of William … [Read more...] about Mrs. C. J. Carleton: Songstress of Australia [9 September 1922]
White Australia [poem, 12 August 1914]
White Australia. The shocking revelations made in the Perth Police Court the other day don’t say much for the vaunted policy of a “White Australia,” while it provides a good argument against the maunderings of the “let-’em-all-come brigade.” We’ve fashioned ourselves a … [Read more...] about White Australia [poem, 12 August 1914]
The Ghost of Blengfell Falls [story, 16 December 1899]
The Ghost of Blengfell Falls. By Chris Dahl. It was the day before Christmas Eve, 18—, and we were on the road from Blank’s station in the Gulf country, riding behind a mob of 800 bullocks — Billy Brown and I and a black-boy who went by the euphonious title of Nigger … [Read more...] about The Ghost of Blengfell Falls [story, 16 December 1899]
Australians! Rise & Federate [song, 15 November 1895]
Australians! Rise & Federate. Australians, rise ! Why longer wait While parliaments prolong debate On themes that new dissensions breed? Arrest this paltry, party strife That bars us from the larger life, And panders to provincial greed. Australians, rise ! No longer … [Read more...] about Australians! Rise & Federate [song, 15 November 1895]
Decay of the Aboriginal Race [poem, 19 December 1890]
Decay of the Aboriginal Race. Prize Poem by Miss Robertson, Yarrawonga. I wandered through a forest’s depths where giant gum trees thickly stood, Until, beneath a tow’ring king, I paused in contemplative mood ; For lo ! the fibrous bark was gone clean from one side the … [Read more...] about Decay of the Aboriginal Race [poem, 19 December 1890]
An Australian Anthem: The People’s Hymn [song, 15 May 1880]
[Editor: A song published in The Australian Town and Country Journal, 15 May 1880.] An Australian Anthem. To the Editor. Sir, — In furtherance of your correspondent’s suggestion, I send you manuscript of an Australian hymn or anthem :— The People’s Hymn. Power … [Read more...] about An Australian Anthem: The People’s Hymn [song, 15 May 1880]
Australian Anthem: The Sun of Australia [song, 17 October 1854]
Australian Anthem. The Sun of Australia. By Robert Wisdom. The Sun of Australia rose ’Mid the storms and clouds of crime, And his lustre was dimmed with wrongs and woes Such as those of the olden time. But the voice of heaven was heard aloud, And that sun burst … [Read more...] about Australian Anthem: The Sun of Australia [song, 17 October 1854]
Song: To the Tune of Rule Britannia [song, 1 February 1817]
[Editor: A song, written by a Mr. Jenkins, sung at a function in 1817 to celebrate the founding of the colony of New South Wales.] Song. To the Tune of Rule Britannia. When first Australia rose to fame, And Seamen brave explored her shore; Neptune with joy, with joy … [Read more...] about Song: To the Tune of Rule Britannia [song, 1 February 1817]
Nation Builders [poem by George Essex Evans, 20 May 1898]
[Editor: A poem by George Essex Evans.] Nation Builders. A handful of workers seeking the star of a strong intent — A handful of heroes scattered to conquer a continent. — Thirst and fever and famine, drought, and ruin, and flood, And the bones that bleach on the … [Read more...] about Nation Builders [poem by George Essex Evans, 20 May 1898]
In the days of the gold escorts [article by Banjo Paterson, 4 February 1939]
[Editor: An article by Andrew Barton (“Banjo”) Paterson about his life.] “Banjo” Paterson tells his own story. — 1. In the days of the gold escorts. Lambing Flat diggings. What the teamster said. By A. B. (“Banjo”) Paterson. Some seventy years ago, two Scotsmen, John … [Read more...] about In the days of the gold escorts [article by Banjo Paterson, 4 February 1939]
Lines [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 April 1904]
[Editor: A poem by Louisa Lawson.] Lines. A strong man weep, a fair girl die, A boy in pain, a mother sigh. These things do wring my heart well-nigh, I know not why, I know not why. — L. Lawson. Source: The Dawn (Sydney, NSW), Friday 1 April 1904, page 25 … [Read more...] about Lines [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 April 1904]
A Wish [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 April 1904]
[Editor: A poem by Louisa Lawson.] A Wish. I may not clasp thy hand while I Thus wish with all my heart That good will keep thee constantly From sin and pain apart. — L. Lawson. Source: The Dawn (Sydney, NSW), Friday 1 April 1904, page 25 … [Read more...] about A Wish [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 April 1904]
In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 June 1896]
[Editor: A poem by Louisa Lawson.] In Memoriam. By Louisa Lawson. The white convolvulus, sweet, fragile flower Ope’s its pure petals at day’s tenderest hour, And they who gaze upon its virgin face, Know God is good, and take fresh heart of grace. At morn a joy, at … [Read more...] about In Memoriam [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 June 1896]
To a Bird [poem by Louisa Lawson, 15 May 1888]
[Editor: A poem by Louisa Lawson.] To a Bird. Bright little warbler of the air. The world to thee I ween is fair, And free thy life from shade of care, So gaily dost thou sing. While from thy happy throat are sent, Those floods of song in ravishment, Thou shamest … [Read more...] about To a Bird [poem by Louisa Lawson, 15 May 1888]
Back Again [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 July 1904]
[Editor: A poem by Louisa Lawson.] Back Again. By Louisa Lawson. Oh, my boy, come in, do. You’ve come back at last, Two years since we saw you, How the time has passed ! Have a bath and shave first, No — a cup of tea ? Think you want a rest worst ? Dear, oh … [Read more...] about Back Again [poem by Louisa Lawson, 1 July 1904]
A Rhyme of the Pretty Girls of Colac [poem, 31 May 1892]
A Rhyme of the Pretty Girls of Colac In this dear Southern land of ours, Of pretty girls there’s no lack; And there are none more fair to see Than the pretty girls of Colac. But as, tho’ in the universe Unnumber’d suns are burning, There’s only one that shine’s for … [Read more...] about A Rhyme of the Pretty Girls of Colac [poem, 31 May 1892]
Australia’s Men [poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 7 August 1915]
[Editor: This poem by Dorothea Mackellar was published in The Armidale Chronicle (Armidale, NSW), 7 August 1915.] Australia’s Men. There are some that go for love of a fight And some for love of a land, And some for a dream of the world set free Which they barely … [Read more...] about Australia’s Men [poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 7 August 1915]
To J——. [poem, 10 February 1825]
[Editor: This song, written by a young woman, was of a personal nature, and therefore the name of the object of the verses, the person to whom the text was addressed, was not published, with the work being entitled “To J—”, instead of, for example, “To John”. The editor of the … [Read more...] about To J——. [poem, 10 February 1825]
A National Song [song, 17 April 1900]
A National Song. Up, up, Australians, shout aloud Our strain of jubilee; Be brave in war, in peace be proud Of our grand liberty; With thousand sounding voices fill The regions of the air.— Far over gum-clad vale and hill Shout, shout Australia. Wave Austral’s … [Read more...] about A National Song [song, 17 April 1900]
When the Niggers Own the Land [poem, 16 June 1931]
[Editor: This poem, which is critical of what the author views as the overly-soft treatment of Aborigines in the Northern Territory, was published in The Northern Standard (Darwin, NT), 16 June 1931.] When the Niggers Own the Land Rejoice, rejoice, my coloured brothers … [Read more...] about When the Niggers Own the Land [poem, 16 June 1931]
The Australian Nation — When? [poem, 13 October 1894]
[Editor: A poem from the Boomerang, reprinted in The Worker, 1894.] The Australian Nation — When? When the Govnah’s hauty aides, Who go chasing married ladies, And the Colonel who gives ordahs to fire low upon the crowd Have surrendered to the sabre In the horny fists … [Read more...] about The Australian Nation — When? [poem, 13 October 1894]
The Mustering Day [song, 15 September 1923]
The Mustering Day. (To the tune of “So Early in the Morning”). The old boss came to the man’s hut door, And said as he’d often said before To-morrow will be mustering day, So boys be up and get away. Chorus. So early in the morning, So early in the morning, So … [Read more...] about The Mustering Day [song, 15 September 1923]