Come All Ye That Are Weary And Heavy Laden (1855)

Across the great Pacific ocean, o'er those waves renowned of old,
Goes a roaring, and a sounding, and a mighty cry of gold;
The farmers left the harvest, the shepherds fled the fold,
And wildly rushed in thousands to dig the earth for gold.

There are sheep upon the mountain, and cattle on the plain,
And waiting for the sickle, rich fields of golden grain.
Then arouse ye, brother Britons, and together hand in hand,
Bring your wives and little children to the Southern happy land.

On the bosom of the waters, see the ship with sails unfurled,
To bear your household treasures to the great Australian world.
No worn out, pent up Attica, shall here contract your powers,
For the valley and the mountain, the boundless sea are ours.

And sweet, at early morning, are the hills of Barrabool;
And bleating flocks are browsing around the flower verged pool ;
Earth clothed with charming verdure, the maiden with her pail,
And Barwon's lovely waters slow winding through the vale.

WILLIAM STITT JENKINS.
Geelong, 8th May, 1855

Notes

From the Victorian Newspaper Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer 2 Mar 1855 p. 5.