[Editor: This song by L. E. Homfray was published in Australians, Awake! And Other Poems (1915).]
The Call of the Empire.
We have heard the cry of battle
And answered to the call,
For the soldiers of the Empire
Together stand or fall.
Chorus:
For the glory of the Empire
Is more to us than life,
And to guard the nation’s honour
Her sons must bear the strife.
We are leaving those behind us
We ne’er may meet again,
While the cry for help is sounding
From a battlefield of pain.
For the glory of the Empire
Is more to us than life
And to guard the nation’s honour
Her sons must bear the strife.
We are leaving home and country
And hearts which hold us dear,
For the motherland is calling
Hers sons from far and near.
For the glory of the Empire
Is more to us than life,
And to guard the nation’s honour
Her sons must bear the strife.
We are marching to the battle,
Our foes are great and strong,
Shall we all come back rejoicing
To sing the triumph-song?
Yet we hold the Empire’s glory
As dearer than our life
And to guard the nation’s honour
Her sons must bear the strife.
Source:
L. E. Homfray, Australians, Awake! And Other Poems, Sydney: D. S. Ford, [1915?], pages 2-3
Editor’s notes:
ne’er = never
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