Anzac Day

Patriotic men and women from sixty down to sixteen
Rode proudly on their horses in the famed Anzac green
Followed by the women of the red cross in their renowned white and red
On this day every April they honour the war dead.

Up to the war memorial where a large crowd stand around
And at the front of the congregation old 'Diggers' to be found
Old veterans of World War 2 they show their years in gray
Their war medals pinned to their lapels their bravery on display.

A lone bugler played the last post to honour the war dead
And an old man who was standing near I saw him bow his head
And tears were trickling down his face his thoughts were far away
Some noble men who were his friends in foreign country lay.

We are gathered here this morning the ageing speaker said
To commemorate true heroes our great and brave war dead
They made the ultimate sacrifice and at a young age they did die
And we have them in part to thank for the freedom we enjoy.

For our soldiers who died in foreign wars for their souls let us pray
It's only to remember them that we have Anzac Day
Their bones may lay in foreign fields but in history they survive
And the spirit of the Anzac is still very much alive.

He thanked the old war veterans who marched in the parade
How can we thank you enough for the sacrifice you've made
You risked your lives in cause of peace 'we salute you today'
You noble men who won the war in Country far away.

He thanked the red cross women the finest in the Land
And the bugler who played 'the last post' and the six piece marching band
And the horse riders dressed as Anzacs in the famed faded green
And he asked the band to finish up by playing 'God Save The Queen'.

And the band played 'God Save The Queen' but not 'Advance Australia Fair'
And I who doesn't believe in war could only feel aware
That in Britain they don't play the Australian Anthem when they honour their war dead
Was it for Britain or Australia that young Aussie blood was shed?.

The horse riders dressed as Anzacs in the famed faded green
And the bugler played the last post and the band played 'God Save The Queen'.
And a war veteran spoke of Aussie war dead their bones in Europe lay
At least they are remembered still on every Anzac Day.