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The Wattle


I saw it in the days gone by,
When the dead girl lay at rest,
And the wattle and the native rose
We placed upon her breast.

I saw it in the long ago
(And I've seen strong men die),
And who, to wear the wattle,
Hath better right than I?

I've fought it through the world since then,
And seen the best and worst,
But always in the lands of men
I held Australia first.

I wrote for her, I fought for her,
And when at last I lie,
Then who, to wear the wattle, has
A better right than I?

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Comments


  • rufina caraid Moderators member
    September 10, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    This is my own interpretation of this poem. The Wattle – known as one of Australia’s Icons is a symbol of patriotism. Whether it is used to adorn a grave (in days gone by) as flowers as we know today were not so readily available. Men going into battle fighting in the Australian Armed Forces bore their Wattle flowers, albeit dried, as a token of their homeland.
    The last Stanza sums up the Patriotic feel of this poem.

    I wrote for her, I fought for her,
    and when at last I lie,
    Then who, to wear the wattle, has
    A better right than I?

    To me this says: I have the right to wear the Wattle as a symbol of my country, which I fought for.

    A deep meaningful poem I believe. Alas perhaps only Australians are the only readers of this poem that can grasp the importance of this beautiful flower. The tree itself has only a life span of approximately 10 years. It is also the only flower on our Coat of Arms (Acacia pycnantha). It is indeed the Floral Emblem of Australia.

    Edited on Sep 11 because ''.