Sir (a tribute to heroes)

1998 | Daniel Morgan

[naturalman1975]

Sir - do you mind if I shed a tear
I swear it’s the first time since this time last year
My spine is a tingle - my throat is all dry
As I stand to attention for all those who died

I watch the flag dancing half way down the pole
That damn bugle player sends chills to my soul
I feel the pride and the sorrow - there’s nothing the same
As standing to attention on ANZAC Day

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free
Will you take a message when you finally do leave
To your mates that are lying from Tobruk to the Somme
The legend of your bravery will always live on

I’ve welcomed Olympians back to our shore
I’ve cheered baggy green caps and watched Wallabies score
But when I watch you marching, Sir, in that parade
I know these are the memories that never will fade

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free
Will you take a message when you finally do leave
It’s the least we can do, Sir, to repay the debt
We’ll always remember you - Lest We Forget

[naturalman1975]

This Friday is ANZAC Day, the day Australia remembers and honours her veterans and those lost in war.

I've been asked to lead the service at my school, and I've been reading through poems and other readings to find ones that will speak to today's teenagers.

This one leaped out at me a few moments ago.

[penelopesire]

Very nice. What do the letters:’ANZAC’ stand for exactly?

[imintrouble]

Appreciate the reminder. An Aussie friend of mine was torn up one year when his father died on ANZAC Day - it is still so significant to the history of that nation of people whose family members throughout the years have served in the military.

The history of that date is a good read if people are interested in looking it up.

[imintrouble]

Australia New Zealand Army Corps - WWI

[penelopesire]

Thanks for the info!

[gjones77]

I still wish to this day that we could trade our liberals for Australia’s conservatives, we would be the ones that came out on top in that deal.

I’ve always loved the Aussies.

[Portcall24]

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda

A song about Galliopi but with which many Vietnam Vets identify.

[Perseverando]

I salute you and your fellow Aussie’s today.

[naturalman1975]

As imintrouble has told you, it stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

The troops of the original ANZAC went ashore at Gallipoli, Turkey, on the 25th April 1915. It marked the first time that Australian and New Zealand troops went into combat as representatives of their respective countries - the Australian colonies had federated into the single nation of Australia in 1901, and New Zealand became a nation in 1907. Both had fought in wars when they were British colonies.

It’s a very important designation in the history of both nations - in Vietnam when New Zealand regiments were integrated into Australian battalions, for example the integrated battalions were granted the ANZAC designation in their name. And a class of frigates designed for and used by both the Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Navies, are named as the ANZAC class. HMAS ANZAC has served with great distinction in the current war.

[naturalman1975]

Oh, yes - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda will be one of the songs played at the service. It always is.

It's last lines have become more and more poignant in recent years.

But as year follows year more old men disappear
Someday no-one will march there at all

Ted Matthews, the last of the Australians alive who went ashore on 25th April 1915, died in 1997.

Alec Campbell, the last Australian alive to have actually served at Gallipoli (he went ashore 2nd November, 1915) died in 2002.

Evan Allan, the last Australian alive to have served overseas in World War I (with the Royal Australian Navy) died in 2005.

We have one remaining soldier of the First World War - John Ross who enlisted in 1918 as an Army wireless operator, but the war ended before he was sent overseas.

Certainly, a lot of Vietnam Veterans do identify with The Band Played Waltzing Matilda but for them, we will specifically play I was Only 19.

Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing-out parade at Puckapunyal
It was a long march from cadets.
The sixth battalion was the next to tour, and it was me who drew the card.
We did Canungra, Shoalwater before we left.

And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean.
And there's me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens.
God help me, I was only nineteen.

From Vung Tau, riding Chinooks, to the dust at Nui Dat
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months.
But we made our tents a home, VB and pinups on the lockers
And an Asian orange sunset through the scrub.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I stil can't get to sleep?
And night-time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

A four week operation when each step could mean your last one on two legs
It was a war within yourself.
But you wouldn't let your mates down til they had you dusted off
So you closed your eyes and thought about something else.

Then someone yelled "Contact!" and the bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours, then a Godalmighty roar
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon,
God help me, he was going home in June.

I can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel
On a thirty-six hour rec leave in Vung Tau
And I can still see Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle
Til the morphine came and killed the bloody row.

And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears
And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real.
I caught some pieces in my back that I didn't even feel
God help me, I was only nineteen.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

[Nailbiter]

ANZAC ping

[penelopesire]

Thank you for that bit of history on the Australia military. America is lucky to have brave friends fighting alongside her!!

[Portcall24]

Thanks, I’d never seen that one. Very nice.

[naturalman1975]

You can hear I was only 19 at youtube.

The sound is from the original song by Redgum overlaid over video from a recent HipHop remake of the song by The Herd. Not my type of music at all, although I do appreciate the sentiment behind their remake - but I think the video itself is quite well done, and so I like the meld. But the fact it is a union of sources is why the video and lyrics don't quite line up perfectly.