Anzac

They lied!
They were fifteen, sixteen, some barely grown
Their future uncharted, their potential unknown
But the Services took them
And their mothers cried.

They were husbands and dads, aged thirty or more
To protect family and nation, and defend our shores
And the Services took them
While their families cried.

Their mates said it would be fun, a fight quickly won.
And our larrikin lads got their helmets and guns.
And the Services took them
And their women cried.

The women joined the forces at home and abroad
Serving in a world-wide emergency ward
And the Services took them
And the sisterhood cried.

They lied!
Those who came home and said their lives were all right
While they struggled with demons that haunted their nights
But the Services had taken them
And everyone cried.

They lied!
They talked of the nation's glory and Australia's good name,
While we mourned those who returned and those who were slain
But the Services and the enemy had taken them
And we cried.
We all cried.