Appeal Poem 1915

The Great Appeal.

GIVE FOR OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT.

Give for our boys at the front,
Who are serving the Empire’s need,
Writing the tale of Zealandia’s pride
In the strength of a soldier’s creed.
Wounded, and shattered, and torn,
Their courage is still the same;
Children they of the lion heart,
Who bear the grand old name.

Give for our men at the front,
And their folk who are left behind;
Bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh,
We must keep them ever in mind.
Honour to those who have died,
And help for the boys who live;
Our rights we gain by their sacrifice –
Remember this truth and give.

Mothers, wives, and children dear
Wait for the tale that is told,
Whilst often the story their hearts must hear
Is that he whom they loved lies cold.
Great is the honour our heroes give
To the land from whence they came;
Give as they give, for your credit’s sake,
To the cause of our Empire’s name.

Our little land in the Southern Seas
Has given and still can give,
That the grand old flag may kiss the breeze
And our British manhood live.
But nothing our hearts can give to-day
Will so enhance our joys
As to think of the lads who must clear the way,
And give with both hands to our boys.

– D. McLaren.

SPECIALLY WRITTEN FOR
The Great War Relief Carnival
HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
THE NEW ZEALAND PATRIOTIC SOCIETY,
In aid of New Zealand’s Wounded Soldiers and Sailors and their dependants.
3rd June, 1915.