Anzac Day

It's Anzac Day morning, the streets are empty
The wind is cold upon my face
The day is dawning, and I've drunk plenty
To get me through to dawn parade

My band's been playing round the corner
We play there every Sunday night
And I'm just praying the Devil's water
Will get me through to Anzac night

My grandaddy, shipped to the islands
Never saw a fighting day
The army doctor stamped the papers
Unfit for combat, too fit to stay

Demolition in the Pacific
While his mates with rifles fired
"Dearest Betty, I feel my effort
"Just ain't worth enough," he'd write

Well, it's Anzac Day, all our boys been blown away
And nobody gives a damn about the sacrifice they made
All the shops along the beachfront are opening this day
God, don't they know it's Anzac Day?

Donald Clancy, a man of legend
A hero of the second war
Well, he beat the foe then, but he can't beat age
No, he can't even reach the door

His proud and broad frame now supported
By a nurse he calls The Brass
She helps remember who his kids are
She wipes his chin and nose and arse

Well, it's Anzac Day, for his boys been blown away
And nobody gives a damn about the sacrifice he made
All the shops along the beachfront are opening this day
God, don't they know it's Anzac Day?

John McGuire, apprentice plumber
Never owned a fighting bone
But he was killed, bombed in Korea
Cold as sin, but not alone

All had families, wives and children
Barely old enough to know
John's dear Sally, she got a letter
But swore she'd never let John go

Well, it's Anzac Day, for her boy's been blown away
And nobody seems to understand the sacrifice she made
All the shops along the beachfront are opening this day
God, don't they know it's Anzac Day?

Lest we forget those before us
Who gave their lives for what we've got
Is it really worth a cent now?
Shipped to destruction, all for what?

Now we're craning at the flagpole
As the sheet waves into sight
And we're just praying the Devil's water
Will get us through to Anzac night

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