Peter Lalors Poem

Peter Lalor

Australian mine workers his name still revere
That Irishman from Laois who knew no fear
Who spoke up against those who used miners as 'door mat'
And led their victory fight at Ballarat.

He spoke for safer mines and for mine workers pay
And mine workers they backed him all the way
In tougher times he was the workers friend
And for leadership on him they did depend.

A deep impression in Australian history he made
As 'twas he inspired the Eureka Stockade
When miners gave their lives for liberty
And broke the stranglehold of slavery.

A Union leader and later an M.P.
Just goes to show how popular he must be
A democrat and a true republican
And best remembered as the workers man.

And in my heart I felt a surge of pride
To see one from the Leinster countryside
His name on stone by Ballarat shopping mall
Perhaps Australia's greatest Union leader of them all.

And above the stone the flag of Southern Cross
It's stars and blue to heaven winds did toss
Proclaiming Peter Lalor's memory
As a hero of Australian history.
Francis Duggan