Every building has a floor, every nation has a past
Each person has a journey, each direction has a path
Every people has a champion, a patriot, a fight
So we raise a glass for the liberties that we enjoy this night
Well the miners had protested, petitioned and complained
But the government fell deaf, and the taxes had remained
And there comes a time for all men, when submission is a sin
So the fires started burning and the licenses went in
The battle it was lost,
but for workers and the future, the victory was won.
Sing hae, o'hae for the rebel's song
And raise a glass for those long gone
High up on the hill, the band of rebels grew
The diggers gathered arms and the Southern Cross it flew
They built a fortress barricade a wall of their defiance
And as the sun rose in the morning, they waited there in silence
The redcoats and their muskets charged the rebel hold
A bitter battle raged, and the diggers they were bold
And at the last drop of blood, the banner it came down
For freedom and for justice won on that bloody ground
The battle is was lost,
but for workers and the future, the victory was won.
Sing hae, o'hae for the rebel's song
And raise a glass for those long gone