FEBRUARY 25, 1908.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1908, Page 2

FEBRUARY 25, 1908.

It's three long miles on a shining flood to capture a world's renown, It's man to mem, with the dean and swill oar bludes tn take them down ; Oh, it's three long miles, and it's man to man, and the killing "dri\o" and grind Till the hearted ings rack to the shoulder wrench, and tho eyes go burnt and blind ; Til! the frail shell rocks to the last fierce stroke, and the thunder prai£< is hurled For a foe gone down in a game defeat, and the Chiinnion of the World ! Then it's 'Riili 1 'Kali! 'Rah! Fcr the Fern and W.iratuh, The race is done, and the native sun brings home the spoils once more ; But when the glasses brim Spare "three times three" for him, The ehillenger from the overseas, who pulled a gallant oar. They have fought the fight in the good old way : fair field, but weeping skies, Where favouring Fortune lent no grace, and the swiftest bore the prise ; They bare measured blades for a bitter test till the goal lino swings benoth, i For a name to ring through the wide, wide woild, and' the victor's crowning wreath; They have dipt and pulled till tho rowlocks emoked and tho bow waves swelled and swirlfd — Ah, hear 'them soar for the native-born, the Champion, of the World ! Then it's 'Rah ! 'Rah ! 'Rah 1 For the Fern an'l .Wnrjtah, For him who holds by right of might tho wreath that heroes wear. / Pour loCg libations, pour, To viotory ever more,. But epare a cheer for a game man down — Australia's challenger. Ho hae proved his steel in the open li&ts full well, this native son, And the fhell is unfe on the stays once more, once more the race is won ; And ita bells and whistles to stir his soul, and the boom of sonorous drums. When, noineward over the cheering crowds, tho rlrife spent victor dimes ; Oh, the streets in the Forth Will flame to-night, the proud flags float unfurled, When Webb comes back with the bands in front — etill Champion of tha World ! Then it's 'Rah! 'Rah! 'Rah! For tho Fern, and Waratah, For tho battle over the ri\et flood, well lost, and nobly won ; Fill a bumper to the biim For the vanquished, then for him (Heir the river-town n roaring now !; Sew Zealand's Champion! — O. Allan Mnrrie.