FOR AUSTRALIA (1913) By Henry Lawson

FOR AUSTRALIA (1913) By Henry Lawson

And a Few Words from Senator Papahatziharalambrous

Now, with the wars of the world begun, they’ll listen to you and me, Now, while the frightened nations run to the arms of democracy, Now, when our blathering fools are scared, and the years have proved us right—All unprovided and unprepared, the Outpost of the White!

“Get the people—no matter how,” that is the way they rave, Could a million paupers aid us now, or a tinpot squadron save? The “loyal” drivel, the blatant boast are as shames that used to be—Our fight shall be a fight for the coast, with the future for the sea!

We must turn our face to the only track that will take us through the worst—Cable to charter that we lack, guns and cartridges first, New machines that will make machines till our factories are complete—Block the shoddy and Brummagem, pay them with wool and wheat.

Build to-morrow the foundry shed (’tis a task we dare not shirk) Lay the runs and the engine-bed, and get the gear to work, Have no fear when we raise the steam in the hurried factory—We are not lacking in the brains that teem with originality.

Have no fear, for the way is clear—we’ll shackle the hands of greed Every lad is an engineer in his country’s hour of need—Many are brilliant, swift to learn, quick at invention too, Born inventors whose young hearts burn to show what the South can do!

To show what the South can do, done well, and more than the North can do. They’ll make us the cartridge and make the shell, and the gun to carry true, Give us the gear and the South is strong—the docks shall yield us more; The national arm like the national song comes with the first great war.

Books of science from every land, volumes on gunnery, Practical teachers we have at hand, masters of chemistry, Clear young heads that will sift and think in spite of authorities, And brains that shall leap from invention’s brink at the clash of factories. Still be noble in peace or war, raise the national spirit high; And this be our watchword for evermore:—“For Australia—till we die”

The End.

G’day, true-blue Aussies and friends across the world,

Today, let's dive into a gem from our own literary goldmine, Henry Lawson's 1913 poem, "For Australia." Now, Lawson wasn't just any poet; he was the voice of the bush, the streets, and the struggles of everyday Australians. This poem? It’s a rousing call to arms, a stirring anthem that still hits home today, as relevant now as it was over a century ago.

Righty, let’s break it down punters.

Lawson kicks off by painting a picture of a world at war, where nations, terrified and scrambling, turn to the arms of democracy for salvation. He’s pointing out the moment when the chaos of war makes everyone realize the value of what we stand for—freedom and democracy. And he’s not pulling any punches here; he’s ready to call out the blathering fools who have ignored the signs until it's almost too late. But it's the "Outpost of the White"—Australia—he's rallying to defend.

He’s telling us that in times of crisis, the usual empty boasts and patriotic drivel won’t save us. We need real action, real preparation. A million paupers or a ragtag squadron? Not going to cut it. Lawson is fiercely practical, knowing that the fight for our coastlines and future must be grounded in reality, not fantasy.

Now, here’s where Lawson really drives it home: the call to action. He’s urging us to turn to the only path that will see us through—the path of hard work, innovation, and self-reliance. He’s talking about building our own foundries, creating our own weapons, and blocking out the cheap imports that won’t do the job. He knows our land is rich with wool and wheat, and he’s ready to trade that for what we need—guns, cartridges, and machines that will make more machines.

Like myself, Lawson has faith in the Aussie spirit, our brains, and our originality. He’s got no time for fear; he knows that when the going gets tough, Aussies get going. Every lad becomes an engineer in the country's hour of need. Born inventors, brilliant minds, and quick learners will show the world what the South—what Australia—can do.

And what’s the result of this collective effort? We’ll produce cartridges, shells, and guns as good, if not better, than anything the North can offer. Our docks will churn out what we need, and our national arm, like our national song, will rise in the first great war.

Lawson’s poem isn’t just about war—it’s about the national spirit, the grit, and the ingenuity that define us. He calls for the gathering of scientific knowledge from around the world, practical teaching, and the bright young minds ready to think outside the box. It’s about being noble in peace and war, raising the national spirit, and making "For Australia—till we die" our eternal watchword.

So, my fellow Aussies, let’s take a leaf out of Lawson’s book. When the world’s in turmoil and the stakes are high, we turn to our strengths: hard work, ingenuity, and an unbreakable spirit. Lawson’s words remind us that, whether it’s 1913 or 2024, the Aussie way is to face challenges head-on, with brains, brawn, and a touch of that unique Aussie flair.

Cheers,

Senator Papahatziharalambrous

**Note to my readers:** Let’s channel this spirit in our own lives, in our own battles, big or small. Stay true, stay strong, and never lose that quintessential Aussie grit. Please download your free copy of the For Australia Manifesto on Internet Archive, or read it online on WordPress, and let’s get to work to drain the billabong, take back our states, and make Australia grouse again!

Title: For Australia (1913) Author: Henry Lawson #ForAustralia