Lyrics

They came in their thousands, eager to sign up
They came in trains and on horseback and bikes
Others just walked all the way to the cities
To serve their country
See the world
Get the hell out of here for a while

War was like nothing they could have imagined
War was the one thing they couldn’t resist
Just the clothes on their backs, meet the Anzacs
So keen to commit

Glued to the radio, papers and posters
Join-up queues stretched on for miles and miles
Many were told to their great disappointment
You’re too old for this, mate
Past your peak
Too short, too skinny, too flat are your feet

War was like nothing they could have imagined
War was the one thing they couldn’t resist
Just the strongest were tapped, meet the Anzacs
Those fit to enlist

Training camps bristled with anticipation
Cities were bulging, soldiers awaiting
Biding their time while the steamers were loading
Wish they may
Wish they might
Finally get to go join the big fight

War was like nothing they could have imagined
War was the one thing they couldn’t resist
The pierside was packed, cheer the Anzacs
They’re boarding the ships

Six weeks at sea and they’d time to while away
Two up they tried to keep boredom and doubt at bay
Cairo was fun but they were like ”Just bring it on -
The war will be over if we don’t get a move on”

The first allied transports left laden for Lemnos
Ottoman landing spots well in their sight
On row boats they pushed off out into the darkness..

War was like nothing they could have imagined
War was the one thing they couldn’t resist
Stopped in their tracks, go the Anzacs
To the beach, right up to the ridge
There’s no turning back, pray for the Anzacs
Caught in the crossfire, caught in the midst
They’ve got our backs, thank God for the Anzacs
Thank God they persist