I came across this last evening while going over old issues of "Black Powder Cartridge News" It was penned by 'A.B. (Banjo) Patterson, Australian Poet (1864-1941) I thought you all might like it.......
"So I sit and write and ponder
while the house is deaf and dumb.
Seeing visions 'over younder' of the War
I know must come.
Stand a box of ammunition
and a rifle in green blaze.
And in this living present,
let the word go through the land.
Every tradsman, clerk, and peasant
should have these two things at hand.
No, no ranting song is needed,
and not meeting, flag, or fuss.
In the future still unheeded,
shall the spirit come to us.
Without feathers, drum or riot
on a day that is to be.
We shall march down, very quiet,
to our stations by the sea.
While the bitter parties stifle
every voice that warns of war.
Every man should have a rifle
and have cartridges in store.
A.B. Patterson.
