Five score years are past and flown,
Since our kin to the fore did stand;
Amidst the seeds of conflict sown,
To spawn this Northern Land.
It is with thanks that we recall,
Deliverance in the hour of need;
From ‘neath rebellion’s deathly pall,
Unbending stance to future lead.
And thus, to hold the sacred ground,
Night and day with watchful eye;
Survival instinct all around,
In defence, to live or die.
The foe resorting to another day
As upon them turned the tide;
With opposing force upon display,
In abeyance their time to bide.
Thereafter reigned the fragile peace,
Generations shadowed by those afore;
But tranquillity was sure to cease,
As lurking strife emerged once more.
And terror ‘scaped across the land,
‘Left’ and ‘Right’ in vengeful lust;
In the middle ground again to stand,
Call to the stalwart and the just.
Let not drums against each other beat;
Reach out in friendship to all here;
Let not the past again repeat,
‘Helmsman of Peace’ our ships to steer.
No harmony to be in a granite stone,
To celebrate this Northern Land;
So to contemplate; reconcile, atone;
I vow to thee; this verse to stand.
Monty Alexander 3.5.2021