DOT'S LITTLE FOLK'S ODE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 76

DOT'S LITTLE FOLK'S ODE.

TO ADVANCEMENT. (Specially composed by Bloxdel for the D-L.F. Bays at the Dunedin and Invercargill Winter Shows.) THE PATRIOT'S VOICE. Hail! all hail, dear land of freedomLand where dream of fancy rove, Blending Nature's artless splendour With a patriot's fervent love. 'Tie New Zealand, children singing — Listen to their happy strain, Aa they tread thy verdure, bringing Gifts for fair Advancement's train! THE CHILDREN'S SONG. Hail, Advancement! Qusen unconquered! Lo! thy happy children we — I Proud because cur Father brought us j To these islands of the free. | Though the gifts we fondly bring th.cc Lack the wealth we wou.d command, Still, we'll say the simple bidding Of the love we owe our land.. "We have seen, the snows of winter; Autumn's tinted leaves are ours ; Golden crocus buds arouad us Dance with summer's velvet flowers. We have heard deep woodland warbling; We have watched the streamlets glide Down through fern-clad, mossy gullies, Where eternal shades abide. We have watched the cattle grazing On the verdant slopes of day; We have heard contented bleating Down where happy shepherds stray. We have wandered 'midst sweet clover; We have stooked the golden corn; Marked the ruby tints of evening And the golden beams of morn. And above the grace and grandeur Of the mount or valley fair We have heard the Great Creator Calling out our 'souls to prepare. All these things have made us happy In these islands of the free, And we set our love to music, And we bring our song to tb.ee. THE PATRIOT'S VOICE. 'Tis New Zealand's children singing — Listen to their woodland strain, As tny verdure bringeth Gifts for proud Advancement's train. Land of music, home of splendour, Isles where wealth and beauty rove, Take the children's song and weave it In the annals of thy love. — Bloxdel. T>.L.F.-Laud, June, 1908.