Wednesday 14 August 2013

FROM THE WORKINGMEN OF QUEENSLAND TO THE BROKEN HILL MINERS.



You gallant Barrier miners,
We send these lines to you,
Our hearts are with you in the strife
Your fight is ours too;
We send our heartfelt sympathy
And, what is better still,
We freely send the needful cash,
Brave men of Broken Hill.

We, too, have struggled and have fought
Though slandered and belied;
We, too, have seen the Church and State
Ranged on the squatter's side.
You bravely sent us aid and help
With noble hearts and will,
And now we're here to pay you back -
Brave men of Broken Hill.

Before the world your “masters” stand
With broken word and pledge,
With savage grip they swing and maul
And try to force the wedge.
When they refuse to arbitrate,
But force us downward still,
It only shows our cause is just -
Brave men of Broken Hill.

Have courage, boys, the day will come
When right will rule o'er wrong,
That day will come, as sure as fate,
It may be, too, ere long.
Stand firm together, side by side,
They yet must eat their fill,
And greed be taught a lesson yet -
Brave men of Broken Hill.


                                                                                                      Owen  Maguire,  Hughenden


Brisbane October 1, 1892.

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