The Diggers Oath

They gathered together thinking it’s not right To charge for mining permits with gold in sight So they gathered together at the Eureka Stockade And armed themselves in their righteous crusade Each digger stood by the Southern Cross flying true And gave the oath vowing to defend each other too “We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties” As free settlers in a free land standing together bravely And some died defending these words sacred to them When they stood side by side and were done in The idea of being strong and free Was forged in these words for all Australians to see Since those days their sons and daughters have answered the call When their blood was spilled so that freedom wouldn’t fall So when there are challenges meted out to us Remember those standing with us honouring the Southern Cross. © Paul Warren Poetry