Spirit of ANZAC

They clad us in the colours of the forest,

and armed us with the weapons made for war.

Then taught to us the ancient trade of killing,

and lead us to the sound of battles roar.

So give us comfort as we lay down bleeding,

and pray upon our cold and stiffened dead.

But mark our place that we might be accounted,

this foreign soil becomes our graven bed.

Now children place upon this stone a garland,

and learn of us each Anzac Day at dawn.

We are New Zealand's dead from distant conflict,

our sacrifice remembered ever more.

© 1986 Mike Subritzky