"The 'Black' pamphlet has been dug out of the political dustbin by 3 Mr Russell." —News item. Note.—"Bustlers": Emotional iWest American cowboys who "raise" cattle —mostly other people's. Once she was trim and beautiful, A dainty clipper, sailing free. But now they paint her battered hull To hide whatever scars there be. The champagne fizzed acrqss her bow, Her well-stitched sails begin, to bag. The captain wiped his piirplti brow — ''Run up," he yelled,' * • the ' old 'black' flag." > i v Sailors' chanty:— ! > "The grim old flag, The tattered rag-r- . c ; Send her aloft, the brave 'black' flag." It fluttered in the golden breeze,; , Dank and unkempt. The skipper swore: trimmed my sails on. many seas, ; I've changed my colours .oft before. No meek device, no pejinon fair, No wretched 'Jack' or such stale rag For us. Few men alive would dare To sail beneath the brave 'black' flag." Chorus of ■« Sailors (in the chanty manner): — "He's quite right there — Few men would dare To sail beneath the old 'black' flag." The skipper swore: "One bitter day 'Twas torn and trampled under foot, But fond hands folded it away Till this our dark revenge took root. Tattered and grimed, I love it still; Let bloodless cravens boast arid brag; Through Are and flood, it is my will To ride beneath the old 'black' flag." Sailors:— "As he doth tell, ..? He knows it well — It is his care, this bold 'black' flag." The gulls approach against the wind ... And swoop to cleanse themselves in spray. The albatrosses have no mind About the noisome thing to stay. But the bold " russellers" of the sea Sing underneath the flapping rag: "This is our sign of victory — This, the unwashed, the grim 'black' flag." Sailors' chorus (distance faint): — "Bold 'russellers' we, Of this fair sea— • Who dares to buru the braye /.black' flag?'*
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Bibliographic details
Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 53, 8 April 1914, Page 6
Word Count
308Untitled Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 53, 8 April 1914, Page 6
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Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.