THE GREY MOTHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15700, 29 August 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GREY MOTHER.

[to AN OLD GAELIC All!.] The following, which was written at tho time of the South African war and then publinhed in the HERALI), is as appropriate to-day aii when it was lirst published: — Lo, how they conic to me, Long through Hie night 1 call them, Ah, how they turn lo me. Bast and South my children scatter. North and West the world they wander. Yet they come back to mo, Come with their brave hearts beatiug, Longinj to die (or me, Me. the grey. old. weary mother. Throned amid the Northern waters, Where thoy have died for me. Died with their Bongs around me, Girding my shores for mo. Narrow was my dwell'ug for them, Homes they buildcd o'er the ocean, Yet they leave all for me, Hearing their mother calling, Bringing their lives for mo. Hear the grey, old, Northern mother, Blessing now iior dying children,— Gnd keep ye safe for me, Christ watch yo in your sleeping. Where ye have died for n,e. (i Far from S'otith Seas swiftly sailing, Out from tinder stars f know no!, Come they to fight for me, Sons of I lie sons f nurtured, God keep them safe for mu. Long ago their fathers saved me, Died for mo among tho heather, Now they come back lo me. Come in their children's children. . Brave of the bravo for me. Tn the wilds and waves they slumber, Deep they slumber in tho deserts, Rise fney from graves for mo. Graves where they lay forgotten, Shades of the brave for me. Yet my soul is veiled in sadness, For I see them fall and perish, Strewing the hills for mo , Claiming the world in dying. Bought with their blood for v mo. And when God's own slogan soundetll, All the dead world's dust awaking, Ah. will ye look for me Bravely we'll stand together. I and my' sons with me. L. Maclean Watt, in tho Spectator.