HAIL COLUMBIA!

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3437, 19 May 1898, Page 3

HAIL COLUMBIA!

Whence come yon youthful warriors bold Whose cannon’s roar tho nations shake, Before whose serried ranks untold Th’ oppressed rejoice and tyrants quake? X sea their battle flag unfold With “ Stars and Stripes ” emblazoned fair; ’Mid cheers, like British dhoers of old. Resounding through the ambimt air. I hear their speech, ’tis with me still, Familiar all the world around ; Its accents make, my life’s blood thrill, Responsive to the dulcet sound. Whence come yon armaments I spy O er tho proud waves majestic ride, With Southern course, ’neath Western sky, Fully prepared, what ’ere betide ? I bear a friendly eritio'say, “ These are the people of our race, Their lineaments do all betray The dauntless Anglo-Saxon face.” They hail from fair Oolnmbia’s coast, Where mighty prairies far oatspan, “ Equality,” her people’s boast, " The Liberties asd Eights of Man.” They go in mailed armour strong, To terminate th’ oppressor’s away ; To thunder at the gates of Wrong, And wrench the despot’s power away. Then “ Hail Columbia” true and brave I Go meet thy foeman, man to man, Subdue the tyrant, free tho slave ; Victorious in the battle’s van. And may the day not distant be When all our race, in duty bound, With hands firm clasped fraternally, Shall form, a link the world around. Then shall th’ oppressed in all the zones Behold their champions side by side, And tyrants, shaking on their thrones, Shall, trembling, dread the swelling tide. Then, then the Star of Liberty “ With brighter lustra far shall shine,” Illuminate both laud and sea, With Heavenly radiance, all Divine. —John Young. Wellington.