THE PATRIOT’S FAREWELL

New Zealand Tablet, 16 March 1916, Page 43

THE PATRIOT’S FAREWELL

' ''(For the N.Z. Tablet.) Farewell! my native land, farewell! Beloved land that gave me birth; Where peace and love and sunshine dwell, To me the fairest spot ;on -earth. ’ > I leave thee as the smile of morn" Gleams silvery on thy snows above, ' And from thy fading shores is borne The parting prayer of those I love. • I see thee as a glorious gem, ' / Resplendent in the morning sea; Befitting is thy diadem.— ■ For thou art queen of lands to me: For thee *my heart shall ever yearn, Though pathless .oceans roll between ; ; V! - ... E'er in my dreams I shall return • ‘ v . : To. roam thy hills arid valleys green. Farewell U dear home of childhood days Fond scenes that'filled me with delight; My heart grows heavy as I gaze ’ f ; . Upon thee fading from my sight, v V . No war cloud yet hath dimmed thy sky, Nor foemaii on thy shores hath trod; ; " " For thee loyal sons would proudly die >’ Ere foe. shall desecrate thy sod. ‘ ■’ • Blest daughter of - the Motherland ;• • -.For thee across the seas I go. Beside thy mother’s sons to stand v. United ever ’gainst the foe. Farewell ! my native land, farewell! ■ ' Though ne’er again thy shores I see; I only ask-, the- world may tell • , Thy sons were true and died for thee. Dunedin. . —Harold Gallagher. / - . ; —■ j ■■■ ■■ . .