Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHO ARE THE HEROES!, by JAMES NICHOLSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHO ARE THE HEROES!, by                    
First Line: Who are the heroes? - the men who labour
Last Line: God save the labourer! Still be our prayer.
Subject(s): Heroism; Labor & Laborers; Heroes; Heroines; Work; Workers


WHO are the heroes? -- the men who labour.
Who are the kings? -- the brave who toil.
Not by the rifle, not by the sabre,
Claim we a right to the fruits of the soil.

What though we own no fertile acres,
What though no lands in tenure we hold,
Ours is the might, for we are the makers --
Ours are the hands that gather the gold.

We are the sinew and bone of the nation,
We are the walls our isle to defend;
Firm is the throne that has for foundation,
The hearts of a people on which to depend.

Down with all tyrants! away with oppression!
What though we own but an isle of the sea,
Earth is our work field, labour our mission,
Let who will worship wealth, we are the free!

Treasures of home, so dear to our bosoms,
Be our endeavour still to improve,
Dear to the workman his fair buds and blossoms,
Faithful his friendship, deathless his love.

May the Almighty still guard and defend us
From every vice that would us ensnare;
Shades of our fathers! to bless, still attend us;
God save the labourer! still be our prayer.





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