So I sit and write and ponder, while the house is deaf and dumb,Seeing visions “over yonder” of the war I know must come.In the corner—not a vision—but a sign for coming days,Stand a box of ammunition and a rifle in green baize.And in this, the living present, let the word go through the land,Every tradesman, clerk and peasant should have these two things at hand.
No—no ranting song is needed, and no meeting, flag or fussIn the future, still unheeded, shall the spirit come to us!Without feathers, drum or riot, on the day that is to be,We shall march down, very quiet, to our stations by the sea.While the bitter parties stifle every voice that warns of war,Every man should own a rifle and have cartridges in store!
Sources, publication & text notesReference details
Canonical recordPOEM-000135
Copy-textFor Australia and Other Poems (1913), Project Gutenberg Australia, anchor EveryManShouldHaveaRifle; selected copy retained exactly and independently aligned to the complete 1913 Standard Publishing Company scan (Google Books Db4vAQAAMAAJ)
While The Billy BoilsSearch