Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I
Diaries of Frank Cyril Swannell Learn more.
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BC Archives MS-0392 - Box 1, Volume 4-5
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OUR FATHERS
BY HUGH J. HUGHES
We are the sons of our fathers - Passionate, free and bold; Bred of the storm of battle, Cast in their mighty mold; Proud of their ancient glory, Strong with their ancient might, Reared with their world-winning story Sun in our ears at night, And we, as the sons of our fathers, Must live by the ancient light.
Our fathers they smote the forest, Our fathers they bridged the sea. Our fathers came down and built the town Where the myriad peoples be One hand on the sword-hilt riding, And one to labour withal, They loved and fought, and they won. God won. A place and home for all. And we, as the sons of our fathers, Must follow the ancient call.
Our fathers sang, and their singing Was sweeter than prophets' words, Our fathers rejoiced, and their gladness Was lit by their leaping swords; One God, one land, one woman, And these with their lives to ward, They blazed their way from the Eastland grey By mountain and sea bestirred, And we, as the sons of our fathers, We, too, have the Three to guard.
Our fathers bequeathed us honor And the glory of toil and song, And the deathless joy of longing, And hearts for battle strong; And our faith, and a land, and our women, And the children that round us rise, And by God's good grace we will purge the race Of wrong, lost test their glory dies, That a fairer land than our fathers planned May our children rise.
BC Archives GR-0392 Box 1 Volume 4 / FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS / Diary and enclosures, 1915.