Our Flag bears the stars that blaze at night

in our southern skies of blue

and that little old Flag in the corner



that's part of our heritage too.

It's for the English, the Scots and the Irish



who travelled to the ends of the earth.

The traders, the schemers, the doers and dreamers



who gave modern New Zealand birth.

And those who are seeking to change it

they don't seem to understand.

It's the Flag of our law and our language

NOT the flag of a faraway land. 





There are plenty of people who'll tell you

that when Europe was plunged into night

that little old flag in the corner



was their symbol of freedom and light.





It doesn't mean we owe allegiance



to a forgotten imperial dream

we've the stars to show where we're going

and the old Flag to show where we've been.

C Humphreys, Katikati.