SITE SOURCE: SYDNEY FOLKLORE - SECTION 3: Sport
SEARLESee the colours I have here,To colonial hearts so dear— Australia's colours! —our late oarsman's, too— For our oarsman, dead and gone, With great brilliancy has shone, He was upright as an oarsman, staunch and true In this weary life of toil, In life's trouble and turmoil, His good qualities how fondly we'll unfurl. He was both our boast and pride— This Australian lad who died— Australia's champion oarsman, Henry Searle. Not alone the Southern Cross, But the whole world mourn the loss Of the very greatest oarsman that drew breath—- Who with firm and steady grip— Ably held the championship Till he met that universal conqueror, Death! Who came in with cruel hand, Causing sorrow in our land— But our lov'd one's name with honour we'll entwine, For, alas! he's dead and gone, And all nations sadly mourn Australia's champion oarsman, Henry Searle. Here before our very eyes Famous champions will arise; As to who will wear the mantle laid aside, But we only know too well, There'll be no one to excel Our dear Australian sculler who just died.
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