New Zealand Minstrelsy

A Bushranging

A Bushranging.

Let ’s go a bushranging, thou fairest of lassies;
Let’s go a bushranging, and visit each scene,
Whose beauties unchanging which nought e’er surpasses,
While clad in mantles of gay evergreen.

MāoriThe wild sons of nature, though warlike in feature,
Shall smile thee a welcome, appearing serene;
While
New Zealand Flora and Faunastrains of the tui, whose sweetness will woo thee,
Shall render enchantments enliv’ning each scene.

Let’s go a bushranging, &c.

Work; LandLo! see yon bush clearing, its aspect how cheering!
Where Industry toils, and fresh gardens do grow;
The axe still resounding, hard labour abounding,
While bushmen exult o’er the forest laid low.

Let’s go a bushranging, &c.

EmpireBritannia may glory, repeating the story,
Of sons ever hardy, extending her sway;
Work; ChangeWhile woodlands encumbered, for ages unnumbered,
Must to their bold enterprize ever give way.

We’ll go a bushranging, &c.