I saw it in the days gone by, <br />When the dead girl lay at rest, <br />And the wattle and the native rose <br />We placed upon her breast. <br /> <br />I saw it in the long ago <br />(And I've seen strong men die), <br />And who, to wear the wattle, <br />Hath better right than I? <br /> <br />I've fought it through the world since then, <br />And seen the best and worst, <br />But always in the lands of men <br />I held Australia first. <br /> <br />I wrote for her, I fought for her, <br />And when at last I lie, <br />Then who, to wear the wattle, has <br />A better right than I?<br /><br />Henry Lawson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wattle-no-better-right-than-i/
