At the Beating of a Drum

Henry Lawson, 1910

      Fear ye not the stormy future, for the Battle Hymn is strong,
      And the armies of Australia shall not march without a song;
      The glorious words and music of Australia's song shall come
      When her true hearts rush together at the beating of a drum.

      We may not be there to hear it — 'twill be written in the night,
      And Australia's foes shall fear it in the hour before the fight.
      The glorious words and music from a lonely heart shall come
      When our sons shall rush to danger at the beating of a drum.

      He shall be unknown who writes it; he shall soon forgotten be,
      But the song shall ring through ages as a song of liberty.
      And I say the words and music of our battle hymn shall come,
      When Australia wakes in anger at the beating of a drum.