And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

[Spooky Joe, SASS #24061]

In honor of ANZAC Day April 25th, as is the norm at El Rancho Spooky, the flag will be lowered to half staff as John McDermott's version of And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is heard through the area.

 

Although we might not always agree politically, we'll always remember the sacrifices you made defending democracy. To all who served, living or dead, S A L U T E.

 

Edited to correct spelling.

[Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172]

Me too.

[G. I. Tarpicker, SASS #998]

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda

© by Eric Bogle

 

Now when I was a young man I carried me pack

And I lived the free life of the rover.

From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback,

Well, I waltzed my Matilda all over.

Then in 1915, my country said, "Son,

It's time you stop ramblin', there's work to be done."

So they gave me a tin hat, and they gave me a gun,

And they marched me away to the war.

 

And the band played "Waltzing Matilda,"

As the ship pulled away from the quay,

And amidst all the cheers, the flag waving, and tears,

We sailed off for Gallipoli.

 

And how well I remember that terrible day,

How our blood stained the sand and the water;

And of how in that hell that they call Suvla Bay

We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.

Johnny Turk, he was waitin', he primed himself well;

He showered us with bullets, and he rained us with shell --

And in five minutes flat, he'd blown us all to hell,

Nearly blew us right back to Australia.

 

But the band played "Waltzing Matilda,"

When we stopped to bury our slain,

Well, we buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs,

Then we started all over again.

 

And those that were left, well, we tried to survive

In that mad world of blood, death and fire.

And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive

Though around me the corpses piled higher.

Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over head,

And when I woke up in me hospital bed

And saw what it had done, well, I wished I was dead --

Never knew there was worse things than dying.

 

For I'll go no more "Waltzing Matilda,"

All around the green bush far and free --

To hump tents and pegs, a man needs both legs,

No more "Waltzing Matilda" for me.

 

So they gathered 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 sailed into Circular Quay,

I looked at the place where me legs used to be,

And thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me,

To grieve, to mourn and to pity.

 

But the band played "Waltzing Matilda,"

As they carried us down the gangway,

But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared,

Then they turned all their faces away.

 

And 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,

Reviving old dreams of past glory,

And the old men march slowly, all bones stiff and sore,

They're tired old heroes from a forgotten war

And the young people ask "What are they marching for?"

And I ask meself the same question.

 

But the band plays "Waltzing Matilda,"

And the old men still answer the call,

But as year follows year, more old men disappear

Someday, no one 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?

[G. I. Tarpicker, SASS #998]

In answer to Eric Bogle's song lyrics above, West Texas singer/songwriter Don Gabbert Wrote this:

 

Charlie McBride

© 2000 Don Gabbert (BMI)

 

This garden is peaceful the flowers are blooming

I can hear the birds sing in the trees.

The paths are all paved and they’re easy to follow.

And a bench for the old men now weak in the knees.

 

Look who I’ve found here it’s a reunion of heroes

Bless my soul it’s young Charlie McBride

Not a day older and not changed at all

Since I stood here beside you on the day that you died.

 

Chorus:

 

We played the drum slowly

And played the fife lowly

We played the death march

As we lowered you down

And the band played The Last Post in chorus

And the pipes played The Flower of the Forest.

 

They can talk if they want to the young ones and women

Of the evils of war and of soldier’s ways.

But my friend we were lions, so brave and so loyal

And so have we been now for all of our days.

 

For no mother, no lover, no sister, no brother

Have stood here together through shot and through shell.

Braver and bolder and shoulder to shoulder

Looking right through the doorway to hell.

 

Chorus:

 

Wars come and wars go and the lions grow older

Times they change and we’re pushed aside

Young men replace us and we are forgotten

A box full of tin and our hearts full of pride.

 

Chorus:

 

So which one was lucky? One fallen, one old.

Just who decides who lives and who dies..

Me on my feet and you there in your coffin

Which one was the victor young Charlie McBride?

 

Oh how I miss you young Charlie McBride.

[Utah Bob #35998]

The Men on your Left and Right

[G. I. Tarpicker, SASS #998]

Is that yours, Bob? Good one. -- GIT

[Utah Bob #35998]

Is that yours, Bob? Good one. -- GIT

 

Yes it is. Thanks.

[Sergeant Smokepole #29248L]

To honor those brave Men...

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

ANZACs rock. I knew some (Aussies) in 'Nam and they just ROCK!

 

Salute!

[Harvey Mushman]

The Men on your Left and Right

 

You captured it. Most join for all those other reasons. Under fire, it is ultimately your comrades.

 

Thanks Bob, nicely penned.

[Bama Red]

Extraordinary fine sentiments, each and every one

 

Spooky, thanks for remembering and reminding the rest of us. And, UB, as usual, magnificent doesn't even come close to your efforts.

[Sergeant Smokepole #29248L]

You captured it. Most join for all those other reasons. Under fire, it is ultimately your comrades.

 

Thanks Bob, nicely penned.

 

22 months of my life were spent proving this right....