The Flag Poem by Ted Middleton

I am a relic from our once proud past
When my flag came first and never last
I was prepared - my life on the line
For that Southern Cross we thought so fine

Me and me mates we could beat em all
We could swim, play footy or happily brawl
When called to the fore we didn't lag
So we could defend and wave our flag

We weren't ashamed from where we came
If our roots were here in another name
We did it our way and were proud becoz
Our flag told all that we came from Oz

We fought and we strained to pass any test
We showed the world we could equal the best
And even in times when we'd suffer a loss
We'd remain proud sons of that Southern Cross

Being from OZ made us ten foot tall
In the swim, on the field we showed em all
With our anthem playing and flag up high
We'd proudly stand with a tear in our eye

We never worried when called the 'weird mob'
We raised our heads and got on with the job
And when it was done - we could play the wag
We'd throw down a beer - but never our flag