Seager, Alexandrine – July 1915
The Twenty-Seventh
Fluttering ribbons strain – then snap
Between us all and the troopships grey,
Then a ringing cheer and deaf’ning clap
The ‘twenty-seventh’ are on their way.
The band grows fainter – the banner fades,
That late was a cloud of floating blue,
With a background of khaki strong and brave,
And the gold of the wattle gleaming through
Little flags flutter here and there
We can distinguish the Colonel still
Far in the distance there sounds a cheer
From high young spirits that naught can still
Ahead of the – what? God only knows!
But by our deal in the Dardanelles,
These men will deal the avenger’s blows
And it’s ever the blow of vengeance tells
Better by far to go and – fall
In the glory of youthful pride,
Than turn deaf ears to their country’s call,
Or in safety the Empire’s claims deride.
Heroes all! And where’er they go –
To fame or sleep in a soldier’s grave –
Our hearts are with them and this they know
Our love is strong as Our Boys are brave.
16 July 1915
