Hurrah for the storm-clouds sweeping! 

Hurrah for the driving rain! 

The dull earth out of her sleeping 

Is wakened to life again. 

There are mirrors of crystal shining 

Whenever the cloud-wrack breaks, 

And grass-clad banks are twining 

A wreath for the fairy lakes - - - 

Lakes that are links in an endless chain 

For the water is out in the swamps again! 

 

Hurrah for the red-gums standing 

So high on the range above! 

Hurrah for the she-oaks bending 

So low to the wave they love! 

Hurrah for the reed-stems slender! 

Hurrah for the shade they fling, 

For the curve of the cygnet's splendour, 

The sheen of the black duck's wing! 

Hurrah for the clouds and the glorious rain - - - 

The water is out in the swamps again! 

 

Hurrah for the laughing water, 

The songs that the streamlets sing! 

Whish! The teal duck's mate has sought her 

With a stroke of his mottled wing! 

Hurrah for the deepening shadows, 

The ibis's eagle-eyed, 

The dash of the purple swallows, 

To bury their breasts in the tide! 

Woe! It is woe to the Drought-King's reign! 

The water is out in the swamps again!