And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda... by debbielove
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Description
Just lyrics, nothing else need be added....
Now when I was a young man and I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of the Rover
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty out back
I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in 1915 my country said, 'Son
It's time to stop rambling, there's work to be done'
And they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As the ships pulled away from the quay
And amid all the tears, flag waving and cheers
We sailed off to Galipolli
And how I remember that terrible day
How our blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs to the slaughter
Johnnie Turk was ready, oh, he primed himself well
He rained us with bullets and he showered us with shell
And in five minutes flat we were all blown to hell
Nearly blew us all back home to Australia
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we stuck to bury our slain
We burned ours and the Turks buried theirs
And we started all over again
Those who were living just tried to survive
In a mad world of blood death and fire
And for ten weary weeks, I kept myself alive
While around me the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me ares over head
And when I awoke in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done and I wished I was dead
Never knew there were worse things than dying
For no more I'll go Waltzing Matilda
All 'round the green bush far and near
For to hump tent and pegs a man needs both legs
No more Waltzing Matilda for me
They collected the crippled, the wounded, the maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia
The armless, the legless, the blind, the insane
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And as our ship pulled in to Circular Key
And I looked at the place where my legs used to be
I thanked Christ there was no one there waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared
And turned all their faces away
So now every April, I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
And I see my old comrades, how proudly they march
Renewing their dreams of past glory
I see the old men all tired, stiff and sore
The weary old heroes of a forgotten war
And the young people ask, 'What are they marching for?'
And I ask myself the same question
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
And the old men still answer the call
But year after year, the numbers get fewer
Some day none will march there at all
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?
I believe this song by John Mcdermott (I have a version by The Skids), sums up this Momument perfectly..
Respect..
Rob
Comments (16)
T.Rex
Thanks again, Rob. The text sure sums up the horrible botched tragedy of Galipolli and the dreadful human tragedies all wars create. Is the text set to music? As for the photo, a heart felt thanks for remembering, and for letting us others who can not visit the memorial get a good idea of how it looks. I'm glad they finally made a memorial to all Aussies who paid the ultimate price, like so many other allied servicemen and women the world over. Keep up the good work! :-)
lunchlady
Perfect, Rob. HUGS!
Richardphotos
outstanding memorial and capture. the song is one that I have heard many times
neiwil
Stunning! I love the framing of the Autumn leaves, an unusual though striking monument..... ' Brallos Pass ' jumps out, a holding action by ANZAC's to cover the withdrawal from Greece, often called 'the modern Thermopylae'... so much sacrifice...well summed up by your text... 10/10++
magnus073
Rob, you did a nice job on this powerful presentation.
radioham
Love it.. Like all wars nobody wins at the end of the day The ones that go to fight Do not want too But go just the same I have the lines you put on asong about all the death that took place It is very sad
taliesin86001
Fallen leaves...Fallen soldiers, very moving!
jayfar
A great shot Rob and a whole lot of meaning.
Faemike55
Very powerful and sad! as stated above, in war, no one wins!
blinkings
Very meaningful Rob.
Buffalo1
Good on ya, mate. The lads from down under always did their bit and more.
flavia49
wonderful tribute
jdstrider
Great photo and an even better sentiment. I say, No, Nay, Never... again!
goodoleboy
Waltzing Matilda? Shades of the 1959 movie, On the Beach, with Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire. Blimey, I didn't realize the ditty was so lengthy. In any event, cool shot of the Australian Memorial Wall, mate.
giulband
Great tribute !!
RodS
Yep - it just gets you right in the heart..... A very beautiful photo, Rob, and a most moving tribute to those brave men who sacrificed so much.