Buckshot Bear Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 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 and 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 me slouch hat With me 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 And we made our tents a home V.B. and pinups on the lockers And an Agent Orange sunset Through the scrub And can you tell me doctor Why I still 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 can mean your last one On two legs It was a war within yourself But you wouldn't let your mates down Til they had ya dusted off So you closed your eyes And thought about somethin' else And then someone yelled out Contact! And the bloke behind me swore We hooked in there for hours Then a God almighty roar And Frankie kicked a mine the day That mankind kicked the moon God help me He was goin' home in June And I can still see Frankie Drinkin' tinnies in the Grand Hotel On a 36 hour rec leave in Vung Tau And I can still hear 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 7 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 (That always brings tears to my eyes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painted Mohawk SASS 77785 Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Thanks for posting BB..Only 19 is & always will be a tear jerker that's for sure . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 I wrote this on ANZAC Day in honor of the soldiers from Australia and New Zealand troops who participated in the disasterous Gallipoli campaign in WWI. It applies to anyone who has ever been in battle. The Men on your Left and Right "It really don't matter what side you're on, Son" The Sergeant says to me. I listened real close for I was a lad Not yet quite twenty-three "You were sent by your Country, or God or King It's a soldier's lot to die So I'll tell you what you're fightin for" And he looks me in the eye "For freedom", says I. "That's probably it!" "Or maybe to save mankind!" "Or to keep the world all safe and sane And make sure it don't unwind" "For your Family and Home and your Flag so dear!" I knew I had it at last! Then I heard the shells scream close overhead And the trench heaved and shook from the blast. The Sergeant's eyes they held me still My own stayed open wide. With a click, he fixed his bayonet His head shook side to side. "No Lad", he said. "That's just not it. That's what them civilians think. A soldier's thoughts are simpler still", And he gives me a quick sad wink. "A soldier's got no time to think of such grand things ya see. No King or Queen in this here trench. Just the Lads, and you, and me" "You fight for the men on your left and right. It's just as simple as that. Now brush off your kit, son. Tighten your belt And straighten your officer's cap." "If you're still alive tomorrow", he says "You'll long remember this day. You'll remember the men on your left and right When you hear the pipers play" "So on your feet Lad, It's just about time Wipe that mud off your pistol sight. We're in for it now, so let’s give 'em Hell We may see it ourselves tonight!" He smiled at me then and chuckled no doubt At my brief patriotic vent Then the flare gun went off, and I blew me whistle And over the top we went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Thought I’d give equal time to the other flag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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