ONE FLAG, ONE SPEECH, ONE EMPIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 12

ONE FLAG, ONE SPEECH, ONE EMPIRE

THERE IS A FLAG that proudly braves the battle and the breeze And lifts on high its glorious folds on many lands and seas. Nor moon, nor sun but e’er behold the triple cross it bears; Nor friend, nor foe but what respect the colours three it 'wears. Its crosses tell of unity; its red of freedom’s dower, Its white of faith and purity, its blue of friendships power; And float where e’er it may, or when, o’er black, o’er white, o’er tan, These blessings are its benison, to every loyal man. THERE IS A'SPEECH that charms the ear, and stirs the hearts of all . Britannia’s sons where e’er they dwell, in humbie hut or hall. It is the grand old Saxon tongue, the Norman’s could not kill, The language of our mother-land that lives and prospers still; It leads in diplomatic courts, it sways the master mind; It lifts itself against the wrong, but to the weak is kind; It stirs the breasts of all "who dwell beneath that Flag unfurled, And destined is it sooh to be the Speech that rules the world. THERE IS AN EMPIRE whose vast domain is the envy of her foes, , , , Who see where e’er she plants her Flag, there peace and plenty flows; Her navy on the mighty main is still without a peer, Nor has her army any cause an enemy to fear. Her Colonies though sundered far on this terrestrial ball Are one in heart and ever quick to hear the Empire’s call; And thus on North, East, West, or South, her stately pillars stand, An edifice of liberty, a temple great and grand. Then up with the Flag that leads us, ever leads us, on to victory, And cheer for the Speech that binds us, ever binds us, in fraternity, And live or die for the Empire, that ever guards us, guards our liberty, And raise the banner higher, higher, One Flag, One Speech, One Empire. —A. CATO.