Poem

When the Bush Begins to Speak

by Henry Lawson · 1892

They know us not in England yet, their pens are overbold;We're seen in fancy pictures that are fifty years too old.They think we are a careless race - a childish race, and weak;They'll know us yet in England, when the bush begins to speak; When the bush begins to speak, When the bush begins to speak,When the west by Greed's invaded, and the bush begins to speak.
"The leaders that will be", the men of southern destiny,Are not all found in cities that are builded by the sea;They learn to love Australia by many a western creek,They'll know them yet in England, when the bush begins to speak; When the bush begins to speak, When the bush begins to speak,When the west by Greed's invaded, and the bush begins to speak.
All ready for the struggle, and waiting for the change,The army of our future lies encamped beyond the range;Australia, for her patriots, will not have far to seek;They'll know her yet in England when the bush begins to speak; When the bush begins to speak, When the bush begins to speak,When the west by Greed's invaded, and the bush begins to speak.
We'll find the peace and comfort that our fathers could not find,Or some shall strike the good old blow that leaves a mark behind.We'll find the Truth and Liberty our fathers came to seek,Or let them know in England when the bush begins to speak; When the bush begins to speak, When the bush begins to speak,When the west by Greed's invaded, and the bush begins to speak.
Sources, publication & text notesReference details
Canonical recordPOEM-000764
Copy-textProject Gutenberg Australia, Collected Poems of Henry Lawson (2022), anchor p329; selected digital copy-text retained exactly; wording and layout confirmed against Ironbark Resources under D-180
Source recordSRC-000066
Rights determinationRGT-000823
Text statusCANONICAL TEXT READY
TranscriptionDIPLOMATIC_D208_D180

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While The Billy Boils · Public-domain text · www.whilethebillyboils.com.au/poems/when-the-bush-begins-to-speak

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