A Song of Empire.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXVI, 25 June 1904, Page 47

A Song of Empire.

(S?» t to musk* by Mr Alee. Hill. Wellington, and published by Reynolds and Co., London.) It will come, in a burst of splendour, From the skies e'er clouded late, The dawn of a wider Freedom, The birth of a purer State. Sea-sundered, many, and scattered. We shall face the world as one— One People, one Faith, one Country. One Flag, beneath Freedom's sun!’* Hail to our country! Hail to our realm! Peerless by land and sea! Blessings attend her— Heaven defend her — Land of the brave aud free? It is coming, that glorious morrow; We have watered Empire’s seed With the dews of a common sorrow And sacrifice and need; In the earth’s most darkened places The star of our might has shone; YVe have lifted the burdened races, Bade Slavery's curse begone! REFRAIN—“HaII to our country,” ete. It comes—it conies- It is written In the starry Book of Fate— The Greater and Brighter Britain. The higher ami purer State! If we cherish each great tradition And strive as our father’s strove, IVc shall rise to a noble mission And rule the world In love! REFRAIN—"HuII to our country,” etc. J. LIDDELL KELLY, Wellington.