Land of the Free - Home of the Brave
A poem written by Joe Bryant, an Australian who values freedom and who has made a proposal for a new Constitution in Australia, called the Alternative Three.
Of course you don't have to be Australian to appreciate the poetry.
Thanks to Tom, a usuryfree activist, for forwarding this thought provoking work.
Tom's sites include www.cyberclass.net - www.usuryfree.net and www.thirdmarket.net
THE GHOST FROM FLANDERS FIELD
by Joe Bryant
(Adapted from poem by Douglas Walker)
I had a dream the other night, I'd like you to understand,
A figure walking through the mist, with 303 in hand.His clothes were torn and dirty, as he stood there by my bed,
He took off his slouch hat, and speaking low he said:We fought at Gallipoli, and other horrific places to secure liberty,
We valued our Federation, as a shield from tyranny.For future generations, this legacy we gave, to
this Australia, the land of the free and home of the brave.The freedom we secured for you, we hoped you'd always keep,
But tyrants laboured endlessly while your parents were asleep.Your freedom gone -your courage lost -you're no more than a slave,
In this Australia, the land of the free and the home of the brave.You buy permits for everything, permits to own a gun,
Permits to start a business, or to build a place for one.On land that you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent,
Although you have no voice in choosing how the money's spent.Your children must attend a school that doesn't educate,
Your moral values can't be taught, according to the state.You read about the current news, in a very biased press,
You pay a tax you do not owe, to please the parliament.Your money is no longer made, of silver or of gold,
You trade your wealth for paper, so your life can be controlled.You pay for crimes that make our Nation turn from God to shame,
You've taken Satan's number, as you've traded in your name.You've given total control, to those who do you harm,
So they can destroy your place of work, and steal the family farm.And keep our country deep in debt, and put good men in jail,
Harass your fellow countryman, while corrupted courts prevail.Your public servants don't uphold the solemn oath they're sworn,
Your daughters visit doctors so children won't be born.Your leaders ship men and guns to foreign shores,
and send your sons to slaughter, fighting other people's wars.Can you regain your Freedom, for which we fought and died?
Or don't you have the courage, or the faith to stand with pride?Are there no real values for which you'll fight to save?
Or do you wish your children, live in fear and be as slaves?Sons and daughters of Australia, arise and take a stand!
Demand a fresh constitution, as the Supreme Law of the Land!Preserve our Federation, and each God-given right!
And pray to God to keep the torch of freedom burning bright!As I awoke he vanished, in the mist from whence he came,
His words were true, we are not free, and we have ourselves to blame.For even now as tyrants trample on each God-given right,
We only watch and tremble -- too afraid to stand and fight.If this Aussie stood by your bedside, in a dream while you're asleep,
And wondered, what remained of your rights, he fought to keep.What would your answer be, if he called you from the grave?
asking, is this still the land of the free and home of the brave?
posted by Sepp Hasslberger on Friday April 23 2004
updated on Saturday September 24 2005URL of this article:
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2004/04/23/land_of_the_free_home_of_the_brave.htm
