WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOR ME
Sung by me at the first ball given by the Governor, Sir James Stirling, in Perth.—G. F. M.
Air—"Ballinamona oro."
From the old Western world, we have come to explore
The wilds of this Western Australian shore;
In search of a country, we've ventured to roam,
And now that we've found it, let's make it our home.
And what though the colony's new, Sirs,
And inhabitants yet may be few, Sirs,
We see them encreasing here too, Sirs,
So Western Australia for me.
With care and experience, I'm sure 'twill be found
Two crops in the year we may get from the ground;
There's good wood and good water, good flesh and good fish,
Good soil and good clime, and what more could you wish.
Then let every one earnestly strive, Sirs,
Do his best, be alert and alive, Sirs,
We'll soon see our colony thrive, Sirs,
So Western Australia for me.
No lions of tigers[1] we here dread to meet,
Our innocent quadrupeds hop on two feet;
No tithes and no taxes we now have to pay,
And our geese are all swans, as some witty folks say.
Then we live without trouble or stealth, Sirs,
Our currency's[2] all sterling wealth, Sirs,
So here's to our Governor's health, Sirs,
And Western Australia for me.
- ↑ There are no ferocious beasts there. The timid kangaroo is the largest indigenous animal. Swans were so abundant on the river when first discovered as to give the name Swan River Settlement. I dare not say that I christened the colony, but certainly after the above song the name of Western Australia was adopted.
- ↑ There was much trouble then about a debased currency at the Cape of Good Hope and elsewhere.
