Original poem by
C. Fox Smith

Printable version

MP3 Sample

Farewell to ANZAC

Poem by Cicely Fox Smith

Adapted and musically arranged by Charlie Ipcar © 1/13/11

Tune: inspired by You Gave Me a Song by Hazel Dickens

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photo of anzac bay, circa 1915 Now it's hump your swag and leave, me lads, the ships lie in the Bay;
We've got our marching orders and it's time we're on our way;
It's a long good-bye to Anzac Beach, where blood has flowed in vain –
For we're leaving now, leaving now, game to fight again!
Yes, we're leaving now, leaving now, game to fight a-gain!

But there's some who'll never leave this bleak and bloody shore,
And some that's marched and fought with us will fight and march no more;
Their blood has paid till Judgment Day the slopes they stormed so well,
And we're leaving them, leaving them, sleeping where they fell.

And we're leaving them, leaving them, sleeping where they fell.

Leaving them, leaving them – the bravest and the best –
Leaving them, leaving them, and maybe glad to rest!
We did our best with yesterday, tomorrow's still our own –
But we're leaving them, leaving them, sleeping all alone.

But we're leaving them, leaving them, sleeping all alone.

Yes, they've gone beyond all wondering, the praising and the blame;
Now many a man may win renown, but none so fair a fame;
They showed the world Australia's lads knew well the way to die,
But we're leaving them, leaving them, quiet where they lie.
But we're leaving them, leaving them, quiet where they lie.

Leaving them, leaving them – sleeping where they lie –
Leaving them, leaving them, in their glory and their pride;
All around the sea and hills, over them the sky –
Oh, we're leaving them, leaving them, so quiet where they lie –
Yes, we're leaving them, leaving them, so quiet where they lie.

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Farewell to Anzac

By Cicely Fox Smith © 1918
From in a book of WWI poetry called "War Verse" published in 1918;
originally printed in "Chamber's Journal."

Oh, hump your swag and leave, lads, the ships are in the bay -
We've got our marching orders now, it's time to come away -
And a long good-bye to Anzac Beach -where blood has flowed in vain
For we're leaving it, leaving it, game to fight again!

But some there are will never quit this bleak and bloody shore -
And some that marched and fought with us will fight and march no more;
Their blood has bought til Judgment Day the slopes they stormed so well,
And we're leaving them, leaving them, sleeping where they fell.

Leaving them, leaving them - the bravest and the best -
Leaving them, leaving them, and maybe glad to rest!
We did our best with yesterday, tomorrow's still our own -
But we're leaving them, leaving them, sleeping all alone.

Ay, they are gone beyond it all, the praising and the blame
And many a man may win renown, but none more fair a fame;
They showed the world Australia's lads knew well the way to die;
And we're leaving them, leaving them, quiet where they lie.

Leaving them, leaving them sleeping where they lie -
Leaving them, leaving them, in their glory and their pride.
Round the sea and barren land, over them the sky -
Oh! We're leaving them, leaving them, so quiet where they lie.

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