Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG OF THE COLONISTS DEPARTING FOR NEW ZEALAND by THOMAS CAMPBELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: STEER, HELMSMAN, TILL YOU STEER OUR WAY
Last Line: WE'LL PLOUGH A SMILING LAND.
Subject(s): IMMIGRANTS; NEW ZEALAND; EMIGRANT; EMIGRATION; IMMIGRATION;
STEER, helmsman, till you steer our way,
By stars beyond the line;
We go to found a realm, one day,
Like England's self to shine.

CHORUS.

Cheer up! cheer up! our course we'll keep,
With dauntless heart and hand;
And when we've ploughed the stormy deep,
We'll plough a smiling land --

A land, where beauties importune
The Briton to its bowers,
To sow but plenteous seeds, and prune
Luxuriant fruits and flowers.
@3Chorus@1. -- Cheer up! cheer up! &c.

There, tracts uncheered by human words,
Seclusion's wildest holds,
Shall hear the lowing of our herds,
And tinkling of our folds.
@3Chorus@1. -- Cheer up! cheer up! &c

Like rubies set in gold, shall blush
Our vineyards girt with corn;
And wine, and oil, and gladness gush
From Amalthea's horn.
@3Chorus@1. -- Cheer up! cheer up! &c.

Britannia's pride is in our hearts,
Her blood is in our veins --
We'll girdle earth with British arts,
Like Ariel's magic chains.

CHORUS.

Cheer up! cheer up! our course we'll keep,
With dauntless heart and hand;
And when we've ploughed the stormy deep,
We'll plough a smiling land.



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