Official State emblem
A potted and unreliable history of South Australia for which the author does not apologise
Let me tell of those days of old
Way back in eighteen thirty six
When others minds were fixed on gold
Free settlers came here hand in hand
Made their homes in a southern land
They crossed three oceans mighty deep
To live in a land of plenty
Yet many had much cause to weep
But never reached the promised shore
Their graves six fathoms deep or more
Men searched for land to plough and till
Local natives were not so pleased
Despite expressions of goodwill
Their hunting grounds and water holes
No longer theirs to have and hold
Lucky miners soon copper found
To help the struggling colony
To the land more migrants bound
German immigrants came in lines
Set about the task by making wines
Famous men are not told of here
For a lands heart is its people
Sheep and crops just everywhere
Equal, freedom for every belief
Keep this in mind so you don't beef
Image found at www.steamcommunity.com
They made 'em tough back then. I don't know if I could have done it.
ReplyDeleteAdmirable job ! I truly thought that this was written to a different prompt - the words melted away - a thoroughly enjoyable read :)
ReplyDeleteI love the fathoms and to have and to hold...very literary! Now you mention it, it is hard to recall Australian historical figures (maybe that's reserved for Australian education) - the only one i know is now behind bars so not a great pioneer
ReplyDeletePs and I guess strictly speaking the invention of the stylophone doesn't make you a notable historical figure anyway
ReplyDeleteSo, the question is: Is there a place for the famous, or only for the nameless?
ReplyDeleteToo many of the famous are corrupt and not worth naming.
DeleteExcellent poem, though I did chuckle over the last word. And yes, it's nameless that really made the country not the famous.
ReplyDeleteReally like this historical piece...wordle words disappear and that's always a good thing...
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Enjoyed your "potted and unreliable" history of South Australia. Born in the U.S. and living in Europe, Australia is like the other side of the moon ... fascinating but rarely seen.
ReplyDeleteA land's heart is its people. Love that.
ReplyDelete