25 April
ANZAC Day poems
ANZAC Day, 25 April, marks the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli in 1915. It is a day to remember everyone who served and died in war.
These poems were written while that war was being fought. Each one opens on its own page, in large type, ready to print for a service, a school assembly or a classroom.
The Ode
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them.
This stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem is read at ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services. Those gathered repeat its last line, then say “Lest we forget.”
From For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon (1914).
The poems
- For the FallenLaurence Binyon, 1914 · 2 min readThe whole poem the Ode comes from, first printed in The Times in September 1914.
- Song of the DardanellesHenry Lawson, 1917 · 2.5 min readHenry Lawson's song for the men at the Dardanelles.
- A Gallant GentlemanC. J. Dennis, 1916 · 9.5 min readThe Sentimental Bloke tells of his mate Ginger Mick's death at Gallipoli.
- The Singing SoldiersC. J. Dennis, 1916 · 7.5 min readGinger Mick writes home about the songs the soldiers sing.Has a content note
- Sari BairC. J. Dennis, 1916 · 6.5 min readThe August 1915 fight for the heights of Sari Bair, in Ginger Mick's words.Has a content note
- To the Boys Who Took the CountC. J. Dennis, 1916 · 6.5 min readC. J. Dennis's tribute to the Australians who died, from The Moods of Ginger Mick.
- Digger SmithC. J. Dennis, 1918 · 6 min readA wounded digger turns up at his mate's family farm to keep a promise.
Every poem page has a Print button and text size controls.