Men of hard and horny hand,
'Gainst each proud oppressor stand,
And ye shall be free. Though the Press at times may rail,
Keep from brandy, rum and ale,
Then your efforts ne'er shall fail,
But the people see. Ye for honest ample pay,
Eight hours' working every day,
Eight for sleep and eight for play,
Or your minds to free. From the love of paltry "notes",:
From the fear of "plural votes,"
From the men of sable coats,
Soul and body free. Trusting in your own right hand,
Be a firm united band,
Then no "Williams" in the land
Can your cause o'erthrow. Then no puny child of clay
E'er shall have his stubborn way,
But to regions far away
Bundle up and go. Fear ye not such selfish elf,
Caring only for himself :
Heed ye not his hoarded pelf,
Nor his moneyed friends. Hold together, might and main,
From John Barleycorn abstain,
Glorious sunshine for your pain
Soon shall make amends. Brothers of the Austral isle
Soon shall fortune on you smile,
Noble-hearted sons of toil--
People great and small. Better days shall on ye shine
Seated near your fig and vine,
In that good and happy time
God protect you all. Geelong, 18th January, 1864. Notes
From the Victorian Newspaper The Leader 16 Jan 1864 p. 17.
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