When Eric Bogle released this, it was first played on TV on ANZAC Day eve. The whole Country broke down. Its the saddest most meaningful song to Aussies there ever has been and God willing, we wont need another one again. No Aussie can listen to this without crying.
It was a multinational screw up and those poor men didn't have a chance. The organizer was Winston Churchill. He never forgave himself and that's why he was so hesitant about the D day landings. The Turks on the high ground couldn't miss. One Irish regiment was given so little ammo that they went into the guns slinging stones with bare hands. Pitiful. But thank God for them , I am in a position to wish you a happy new year, God bless Canada, love from Yorkshire, England. Kind regards Martin.
Thanks for sharing....I am 79yrs old and grew up knowing about the WW1 & knowing a few of the old veterans....I learnt to sing & play this song with my guitar so the words are imbedded in my memory.... cheers from Australia 😀
The last Australian digger from WW1 died in 2001, aged 106. Growing up in Australia, Gallipoli was always there in my mind and came right to the fore every April 25th. Canada will always be close to Australia and it didn't surprise me to see the Maple Leaf in the video. We're both in the Commonwealth. I live in the US now but I'll forever be an Aussie before anything else.
The survivors from Gallipoli went on to fight on the western front . Where our losses were even higher, It truly was a baptism of fire for a young nation.
Another interesting fact is that on both the Australian and Canadian sight loads to of indigenous people fought and died those who survived were be spit upon when they returned when are both Canada and Australia gonna repair the damages of 300 years of genocide.
Not all went to the Western Front. In fact, a gret many of the Light Horse were sent to the Middle East to fight the Ottomans in Palestine. The Charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba was part of this campaign. The Light Horse Flying Column that captured Constantinople led to the surrender of Ottoman Turkey to the British.
Gallipoli was a coming of age on the world stage for Aus and NZ. Unlike alot of other countries, we hold our greatest losses as our most important time. It still fuels Australian culture today. RIP
The song is an account of the memories of an old Australian man who, as a youngster, had travelled across rural Australia as a swagman, "waltzing [his] Matilda" (carrying his "swag", a combination of portable sleeping gear and luggage) all over the bush and Outback. In 1915, he joined the Australian armed forces and was sent to Gallipoli. For "ten weary weeks", he kept himself alive as "around [him] the corpses piled higher". Eventually, he is wounded by a shell burst and awakens in hospital to find that he has lost both of his legs. He declares it to be a fate worse than death, as he can "go no more waltzing Matilda". When the ship carrying the young soldiers had left Australia, the band played "Waltzing Matilda" while crowds waved flags and cheered. When the crippled narrator returns , the people watch in silence and finally turn their faces away in horror. As an old man, he now watches his comrades march in Anzac Day parades from his porch. As the war falls out of living memory, young people question the purpose of the observances, and he finds himself doing the same. With each passing year, the parades become smaller, as "more old men disappear", and he observes that "some day, no one will march there at all".
Some of the pictures in the pogues clip you reacted to were truly iconic to Australians. I think there's a guy called Simpson there, who was famous with his donkey for constantly going up to the front lines, very exposed and in great danger, and retrieving the wounded and bringing them down the hill on his donkey to the water side. He did it for quite some time until he was killed. He like Eric Bogle, and many of the Australians in Gallipoli was actually an immigrant from the UK - Bogle from Scotland as I'm sure a lot of the Anzacs were, and Simpson from England.
What about the thousands of indigenous Australians whom fought that war only to be spit upon on their return and couldn't even have a beer with their comrades cause they weren't allowed in pubs
@@kurtaussie585 yes - that happened, though I don't know the numbers, there were definitely indigenous Australians in both wars, and some were actually in both. Still racially profiled back at home. It's a stain on Australia that can only be removed by ending prejudice for ever.
@@michaelwebster8389 yeah I know that happened my grandfather was one of them whom fought in both world wars without actually having a clue what they were really about. When he came back home in the late 40s after his second war he had his kids(my father and aunty)stolen by the Australian government ( another of the many stains on Australia's history). But these things didn't only happen to Australia's indigenous population, it happened to the indigenous Canadians my grandfather fought some of both wars with. It also happened to loads of African-Americans and indigenous people in South America. Just ending prejudice isn't gonna repair that. We are gonna need a lot more to really repair what's been done by the colonial powers in the new world. By the way we all like to act like those things are in the past but remember that in the NT and in WA there's still segregated lines for buying alcohol, 100s of Aboriginal kids get locked up in Don Dale, loads of pregnant women still disappear and if Aboriginal Australians were their own country it would be the poorest country in the world, our land still gets stolen and destroyed to make a profit not for the community but for foreign oil and gas companies. I could continue for hours but you see what I mean right. Australia hasn't even done the slightest effort to improve the lives of those whom they stole the land from just ending prejudice isn't gonna repair that.
The thing that was more heartbreaking was the fact all these men volunteered. Not a single one was conscripted. Many of them either lied about their ages or pestered their parents to a sign a “permission slip”. The youngest to have died in Gallipoli was only 14. Their country asked for help and these men stood up and answered the call. Virtually a whole generation of young men wiped out in a matter of months. Going around Australia, pretty much every city/ town has a memorial of some sort to their slain sons. It’s quite upsetting reading the names because you’ll often see a family that has lost multiple sons. Heartbreaking stuff.
I'd love to play this song on guitar for my Grandchildren but I think I'd be to emotional to make it all the way through the song.Thanks for posting & for your comments.
Yes, they were very young. Many as young as 14 who fudged their ages to experience the "great adventure" as it was put to them. Australia had a much higher percentage of the population located away from the big smoke since we were much more reliant on sheep, cattle and agriculture. These were first generation Aussies given we had just become a nation less than 15 years earlier. The War losses caused havoc for years with the ladies having to do more then their fair share. Hardened people in those days. This is where the Aussie spirit was born. Waltzing Matilda was basically a pub song in 1915, sung around the pianos and fiddles. It had been written as a poem by one of our best, A.B. "Banjo" Paterson in the early 1890's soon after the famous Queensland shearer's strike (listen to the song 1891 by the Bushwackers). WM was put to music, thought to be by Christina Macpherson, whose parents' property Banjo allegedly wrote the poem on. The song became more famous after being first recorded in early 1930's.
Mate once again I thank you for your interest and feelings, in Australia our School Children are made aware of the Sacrifice and most Schools will hold their own ANZAC Services in house and also join a local R.S.L. organised Anzac Day Dawn Service(often with a Gunfire Breakfast) and a later ( around 11-00hrs)a short March with Veterans and Serving Troops and a Service. I was for some 10 years the Secretary of a Queensland R.S.L. Sub Branch in a Rural Town, during my time I organised Fundraising activities to raise funds for Veterans in need, To support Schools financially with required specialist equipment ie Flag Hoists, Books, electronic equipment, financial support for Flag Poles, Memorials etc etc. Also organised were Pre ANZAC/Remembrance Day Visits to six local Schools to talk and enlighten the Pupils about the "Sacrifice" BUT never about the Muck and Bullets, rather to explain that thanks to the ANZAC'S who's spirit continue to this Day, we live in Australia as a Free Country, where Children particularly Girls are allowed to go to School and University, listen to the music they like, Play Sports, Vote in Federal and State Elections, wear the cloths they choose, go home to a warm bed etc etc. As an ex Serviceman I served and did my bit in the Far East to keep Communism at bay on an operational unit on Active Service, in that particular stint I completed three years without returning to the UK and experienced some pretty horrific moments, however it was nothing compared to my childhood in the U.K. during WW2. I never once related to the Pupils about he Gory details but was able to explain what they have to day and what we did not have during WW2 ... to see their faces whenWW2 rationing quantities were displayed they could not believe how we existed( one of the gifts I remember getting at my School was Chocolate Milk Powder from CANADA). I had a host of reflections from experience/reading that I could relate to to enlighten the Pupils of the Sacrifice and the purpose behind ANZAC and Remembrance Days. It was always interesting to see their reactions when it was explained that in WW1 many young men would walk hundreds of Km from the outback to sign up to support the Old Country(U.K.) as there was a bit of Biffo going on over THERE and they were up for it, also that as so many groups of lads who were friends if one went they all joined in, Surprisingly a lot of the young men lied about their age some being 13 and 14. Lest we Forget
I hope the tradition of keeping young people informed of the tragedy of warriors that fought & died for the freedoms we all take for granted. Ukraine in utter devastation should show us what can happen in a relatively short amount of time. I hope you enjoyed the chocolate milk powder 😃. Cheers.
My dad was born in 1932, in the middle of the depression, he told me when war was declared in WWII, so many young guys couldn’t wait to join up….they were poor, hungry and desperate for adventure. Very sad. 🇨🇦
As an Australian ,and a pouges fan as well I find both versions just as touching in different ways.the mgowan’s voice has more anger in it….[I’d play the pogues version mostly but the Eric boggle version I’d play on Anzac Day . My grandfather did 3 years he was luckily gassed and did survive up to 1963, but the gas caught him eventualy. His opinion on ww1 fits very neatly with the lyrics, when his mates started the war talk he just took mum and walked away….there was no glory for him in that war
Eric Bogle, a consumate song writer. This is incredibly sad but incredibly necessary at the same time. As he says "some day no one will march there at all" History has to learned and embraced. His song "now I'm easy" which is a about a small subsistence farmer in the Austrialian outback is incredible. These songs were extensively covered by Irish balad singers and folk groups in Ireland when I was growing up so very famiar with them. Extremely moving to this day.
@@CanadianReacts you should also check out "The Green Fields Of France" also by Eric Bogle reflecting on the grave of a young 19 year old who died in WW1. Grew up listening to many versions but the one by Finbar Furey is my favourite. Keep up the good work.
Another wonderful song written and sung by Eric Bogle is No mans Land, more commonly known as the Green Fields of France. His voice is absolutely beautiful
G'day, I know this comment is late but I watch this song from time to time, and you posted this on my birthday! Those that went to Gallipoli from Australia were ANZAC's, being made up of those from both Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and marks our most sacred day of the year above all else - 25 April, ANZAC Day. This clip was put together and I quote 'Mixed with pictures from Gallipoli are pictures of past and present Canadian troops because this song and slideshow was played during a Remembrance Day assembly at a Canadian public school." The fact that Canadians were included in the pics really got the comments talking, but this is my preferred clip, and the opening does list the original reason for the song. We here in Australia hold the Canadians closer to our hearts than we do the Americans, as I feel that our two countries share a lot in common. It is a shame that our two locations are on opposite sides of the world. Thanks for playing the song, and I shed more than one tear when I watch and listen to this song - why do I do it to myself. Cheers.
I don’t know if you are aware that “Waltzing Matilda” actually means a swagman carrying his pack, swag going from town to town generally looking for work. The song Waltzing Matilda is generally regarded as an unofficial national anthem.
@@Dee-JayW I wonder whether your auntie was angry because Waltzing Matilda is about a man who steals a sheep and before he's caught by the police he commits suicide by drowning in a billabong. Great music - lyrics perhaps not so good for an Australian Anthem.
Pushing back a little on the young people not understanding the war (from the perspective of a 23 year old), growing up in Australia, ANZAC day and Remembrance Day (11th November, just like in the rest of the Commonwealth) are still important days here. School children will often be involved in ANZAC services and most schools will participate in some sort of commemoration every year. Through school, the topics of WW1 and WW2 form at least a part of the curriculum, with the option to study it further in high school if wanted. For a lot of us as well, many will have had relatives that fought in WW1 (especially considering the size of the population of Australia at the time and the losses per capita suffered, almost everyone was related to or knew someone who didn't come home or was severely wounded). A lot of families also emigrated to Australia after WW2 and consequent wars, so the impacts are still quite fresh and felt. On dad's side, my great-great uncles fought at Gallipoli. One was killed in the landing. His brother survived and was sent back to Australia and then sent onto the Somme, where his experiences left him with debilitating health conditions for the rest of his life. My grandfather served in the Australian Navy in WW2 and missed being onboard the HMAS Canberra when it was sunk by a couple of weeks. On mum's side, her entire family is Polish. In WW1 my great-grandfather fought on the Eastern front and was later captured and almost executed by the Bolsheviks only to be killed in Auschwitz as a political prisoner. My grandmother, slightly younger than I am now, fought in the Polish Underground Army/Home Army and after her participation in the Warsaw Uprising became a Prisoner of War. Most of my maternal relatives were captured and killed by the Nazis or exiled by the Soviets. My grandparents were eventually able to emigrate to Australia in the late 40s (by way of France) and my grandmother would later participate in the ANZAC day marches, including wearing her service medals, when the marches were opened not just to those who fought (or now, are descendants of those who served) in the Australian Defence Forces, but also Commonwealth and Allied forces.
You mentioned how young they were. My Great Uncle was 21 when he signed up and was sent to Gallipoli with the 12th Light Horse. His younger brother, my grandfather, was 16 three months later when he signed up. He was placed in the Pioneers and spent his 17th, 18th and 19th birthdays in the mud fields of France, Flanders and Belgium. Yes, they were young.
It is a promising thing that there is a Turkish branch within the rsl[returned servicemens leauge]…Turk veterans have marched[those still alive] with Australian vetrans on Anzac Day , it holds out hope for humanity…it’s also of note that the aussies ,kiwis and Canadians often fought side by side in France and did it more successfully than the other contingency’s
This happened in Melbourne. As far as I am aware it is the only time an 'enemy' has marched with us on ANZAC parades. May have something to do with the attitude of the Turks when we left as well as the humane way they treated our PWs.
@@francismcknight724 Also perhaps they felt dragged in by Germany, in a similar way to our committment to the British Empire, so we would not have otherwise been fighting.
What was so scary was that there were so many that lied about their age to join the war. They had the greatest Dreams of Grandeur and romantised War as Glorious and a great way to travel and explore and experience. Children as young as 15 - 16 enrolled pretending they were older. And there was also many older that pretended to be younger to join up for the same reason, large groups of mates and even family group members all joining up at the same time to stay together. They were all brought to a brutal screaming halt and realised soon enough what War was really like and not a single one failed to regret their actions. Watching their best freinds get turned to a liquid spray of blood in an instant, maimed and horrified and terrified for the first time in their lives. Those that survived to return from the war were never mentally sound ever again.
@@CanadianReacts I watched that as well. Shane McGowan is an absolute legend. Can you please react to God Bless England by the Mary Wallopers? They're a group of young lads keeping Irish music alive. Here's the link... m.th-cam.com/video/Z3uUGs8K1SE/w-d-xo.html Hope everything is going well for you over there in 🇨🇦 💚 from 🇮🇪.
My long deceased uncle Don was an ANZAC on the Western Front. He went 'over the top' on 2 occasions, very violent for a 19 year old. Barb wire snaring dead bodies, men losing limps, enemy machine guns, artillery, concussion, noise, screaming men, the list goes on. He survived and was having breakfast behind the 'Front lines and a stray shell interrupted his meal. Was wounded, invalided back to Australia. When I was a very little boy I use go to his corner shop and every afternoon he wound shut the premises and go to the Returned Services League for his 'tot' of rum. Ask my father why? And dad said they gave men a cup of rum before they 'went over the top.' The habit never left him. Ever heard of 'The Kokoda Track?' My uncle Nick was drafted at 19 to serve in the 'Militia,' Survived the whole war and use to show a folded up map in his work uniform to me to see where he travelled north until the end in 1945. Remember the 'Redgum song: 'Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)'? A song about Vietnam. My uncle Keith. Never settled down, last heard 10 years ago he was living somewhere in Scandinavia. May have passed away now. Well, my father passed away this year so I will never know. Guess who turned 19 when I finished my 'Basic Training 26 years later?
If you hunt down and watch the film “Gallipoli” with a very young Mel Gibson, it’s a criminally underrated film one of my top 5 war films, both desperate and sad, no heroics just real.
I have been listening to Eric (and many others) sing this song since the early '70s. It is one from a massive body of work. I have more than a dozen variants in my music collection including 4 by Eric. I believe my paternal grandfather was in Galipoli. Both my parents were in WWII and are buried in the Canadian Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, QC as are my wife's father and his parents. The first to record this song was June Tabor. Eric had a hit before he ever recorded it himself. Another song he wrote in the early days was "No Man's Land" aka The Green Fields of France or Willie McBride. Give that one a listen.
Thanks. I happened upon the Pogues version first, about 8 months ago and I did Green Fields recently but couldn’t add the video due to computer memory being full. Thanks for writing
It was a surprise to see Canada featured here. But that's a good thing! It's a good song. Especially when Canada's contribution to all our collective wars, has remained almost unmentioned to my ears at least. Oh Canada!
We are happy that that version had Canadian Military shown in it, a Song so old but still so powerful is for all of humanity to share. We are lucky here a lot of our Young are involved in ANZAC Day Marches, they save and fundraise all year to travel to Gallipoli, Kokoda Trail, France and other destination, to stand in for those long gone, war in schools is not sanitised in our schools, they see Photos and Film taken during the wars. We mostly commemorate our biggest defeats, we did eventually beat the Turks the beginning of the end was at Beersheba, but we rarely think or talk about that, by then so many people had died not just Aussies and others from the Commonwealth, what some felt worst about was all the Civilians they saw killed or Starved. Now how do we get the Yanks to think same way as Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians do we may at least avoid some of their Pointless Endless Wars, only reason they drag us Allies in is to keep their Industrial War Machine Churning.
Eighth gen Anglo Australian of convict ancestry. Lost my great grandfather at Gallipoli. A grandfather in North Africa in ww2 and another who was never really right in the head after three years on the railway. Many people don't realise that from a population of fractionally under six million, over half of which were women and children, a full one million Australian men served in the Second World War with similar per capita statistics for World War One. New Zealand contributed even higher per capita ratios and I know and all Australians know that Canada was right there on the same page. I'm sure I'm not the first to mention it, mate but you truly need to watch the movie Gallipoli staring a very young Mel Gibson. It's not only one of the most iconic Australian movies ever made but its deeply sacrosanct to Australians on a cultural level. You'l find it online. Well known and highly acclaimed movie on a global scale. Australians and Canadians will always be brothers. Family ties and cultural similarities aside because of the Great Wars. Sincerely, I'd give my life defending Canada even today as would any Australian I know. Best wishes. Brothers in arms. Five Eyes forever.
The saddest thing about this song is that although all the WWI veterans have died and the WWII veterans are dying out, there are still no shortage of veterans left to march. Although numbers are falling there are still men and women serving in war zones, and I cannot see a day when there will be no combat veterans left to march on ANZAC Day or veterans left on Remembrance Day.
My great grandfather was also killed in WW1 and my grandmother was sent to ireland as her mother could no longer take care of her as she had more kids too...she was taken care of by nuns....she never saw her family again....very sad ..my mother always told me about it....i'm not sure if you have heard of the green fields of france sang by the fureys....one great song....
There was a small Canadian contingent at Gallipoli, with a total of just 30 deaths, compared to over 8000 Australian dead. For some reason this film clip has been modified for a Canadian audience!
Today is Anzac day for Aussies and Kiwi's. Appropriate that I've seen this video. I'd suggest another great song for us is I was only 19 by redgum. If it doesn't bring a tear to your eyes, it surely does for me..Honor to the Anzac, cheers buddy 👍
@@CanadianReacts hello there and thanks for the reply! I’ve been to Pontypridd last year for the first time. I live on the island of Anglesey in the north it,s about a 4 hour drive to Pontypridd 🌼🏴💕
Written by that wonderful Scotsman and also Australia, Eric Bogle. Still the yardstick performance.... It's a pity the newer shots show Canacks rather than Aussie Diggers...... From Gallipoli, Western Front, Palestine, and then Tobruk, Singapore/Malaya, New Guinea, and onto Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afganistan with a lot of active service in between. Us Aussies have been fortunate having those who are prepared to serve on for all of us. Lest We Forget. Greetings from Australia......
Gallipoli Campaign Newfoundland Regiment participated in the Gallipoli Campaign from September 1915 to January 1916, where approximately 30 were killed in action and 10 more died of disease.
There was such cameraderie among Australian farming communities at that time that whole towns and districts of young men joined up. Many forged their parents' signatures to join up as young as 14. There are towns in outback Australia where every young man over 15 was killed. In someone else's war. Just imagine it. The uproar at how Australian and New Zealand troops were maltreated by the British generals, meant that after the Gallipoli campaign, Australian troops were never again placed under direct British command.
@@CanadianReacts Instead of picking sides in war, we need to be declaring war itself as the great evil. Those Turkish young men were just as good as "our boys", and many more of them died than ours. Ataturk's comments at the end of the war led to the forging of a real respect and friendship between Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.
@@77goanywhere Steve I've been to a Turkish cemetery at Gallipoli, there are many young kids buried there, more and younger than our boys. You are so right, there's never any "winners".
Totally agree they were all heroes. Just unimaginable to me what they went through BUT the song is thankfully not glorifying it and right at the end, I ask myself the same question also. It is a stark difference between how Aus (and I think canada) treat veterans. Deep respect BUT if you choose to go then don't brag on when you get back and don't make it obvious thaT THAT WAS WHY YOU JOINED IN THE FIRST PLACE . Not everyone agrees and we all have difficult things to do at times. The conscripts however (brother in law sent to Vietnam) I have the deepest respect for
Eric Bogle has said he hates the version by The Pogues (but jokes he's happy for the royalties). My own personal favourite is by June Tabor - the unaccompanied simplicity and her gorgeous voice makes it all the more evocative. I believe Tabor's was also the first version recorded back in tge mid 70s.
Had a uncle who survived Gallipoli he went there as a 15 year old, was lucky to survive western front as well his three mates he joined up with were all killed in the first few days at Gallipoli. They were all under-age pretty common in ww1.
Yeah what those men went through is something very unique, was always interested in finding out about my uncle from story's I had heard which sent me down the rabbit hole of reading unit diary's as well as individual soldiers diary's to find out more pieces of his story, and the more you read those the more surreal that war becomes, it's a mix of sheer frightening brutality humour and the luck of being in the right place at the right time. By the time he left France in 1919 he had been wounded 7 times, he used to joke about a little bomb fight they got involved in once it consisted of the bomber's in his battalion throwing 15,000 hand grenades at the enemy over a period of 3 days. It was truly amazing that they survived the things they went through over there.
In a book I have about soldiers in WW1 the youngest was a New Zealand boy. He was 11. They didn't care about age. The past is another country....they do things differently there. It is the black and white that hits me more.
You have to appreciate the call.... Eric doesn't really cover that part well. Throughout the war they conducted marches through the outback, some to Sydney, and would take on volunteers as they marched through. Famous ones include the Coo-ee March and the Kangaroo March. It was quite succesful, probably due to the fact that most of the settlers in rural towns got their land through serving in the Boar war. But by using words like "dragged", it does a disservice to the mood at the time. The men were mostly excited about it, and thought of it as adventure and a change to the drudgery of the home life. And honestly, most of them thought they would be home by Christmas. But yes, the biggest travesty of Gallipoli was that Australian and New Zealand forces were almost entirely volunteer forces. Indeed most of the Australian forces during the war were volunteers.
@@CanadianReacts Once I would have said that. Not today. When I look at the captured guns that still take pride of place in every country town (who's regiments captured guns - so most), I understand what those guns mean. When I was a young boy, the names that are written on the wall of every train station was the names of grandfathers and great uncles, and you could see which families in the town were most affected. Now, children don't appreciate what those monuments are. They don't go up to the guns and play on them, and their grandparents were likely born after the second World War. Every ANZAC day as the men march out at dawn some feminist writes a toxic article in the paper arguing against points that nobody was making. Every day the young adults complain about all of the things that make their lives slightly difficult, but will not lift a finger to save their souls. There is a very good reason why the men marched, and although Bogles song was a challenge to the idea, it is wrong in a sense, because the marching is very very necessary. And while some might indeed glorify the military, it is inevitable with interest that the reality will set in, and once you see the reality, it is enough to make a grown man cry. So, for those of us who are still True Blue, carry the flag and pass it on, we have a losing battle being fought right now, and it is a battle of culture.
@@adifferentangle7064 To add another perspective as a Gen X Australian, I see many young people today who are very respectful of Anzac Day and do their best to understand. I feel many people rise when challenged, but deal with trivialities at other times. I think many of the fine young people will be just as brave if need be, just more educated about when it is worth it.
I honestly haven’t heard the original version of this song. I constantly listen to The Colonial Boys version. I believe that their version is the best, but I may just be a little biased because I’m not used to the original. 🍻🇦🇺ANZAC🇳🇿🍻 L E S T W E F O R G E T
Some of the soldiers were as young as 12 yo if not younger, as they changed their birth certificates to get to go and fight. Some got found out when the doctors checked them for them to fight.
@@CanadianReacts Yes, Australians back then didn't know about Wars and were told this war will be over in 6 months. So many wanted to go because they saw it as an opportunity to see the world for free etc. Australia lost a lot of multi skilled men in that war as well as in WWII and I believe if they didn't go Australia would have been a more amazing place and so advanced and probably better than America etc. It set back Australia at least 1 to 2 centuries in my eyes Just dont think new generation is going to be as productive etc or as willing to help our country. If you know what I mean. I knew a soldier from WWII, well my Vietnam veteran knew him better than me. This soldier fought and then became a POW. The Japanese really treated the POWs badly. When he was rescued years later, he came home and was told he has done enough and start his live again. He tried to rejoin the fight and they said no. So he asked him friend if he could use his name and birth certificate and he did. He went back to the war. He survived by the way. He even tried to join the Vietnam war but was too old. He did it for his mates etc.
@@Mav_F this is an amazing story and was one unexpected benefit of starting this channel. I just wanted to find some different music but this stuff is incredible. Thank you.
@@CanadianReacts Try and watch "The Anzacs" TV Miniseries from the 1980s. I think it is on TH-cam and six parts. It gives you the idea about the Aussies in WWI.
When the ANZAC s landed on the beach early that morning they were not aware it was surrounded by rock cliffs, the Turks were ready for us and the sure had the higher ground. Still they boys charged climbing the cliff faces and took the fight to the the Turks. We shall remember them. Every year we gather early morning at this time . 💞🇭🇲
@@CanadianReacts ok I'm not sure how to set notifications, I'm not tech savvy I'll try, but I'll promise I'll catch the harbour review later today cheers 🍻 mate, new year s eve here tonight, so half of Australia is about to get on it, almost party time.
@@CanadianReacts ok got it subscribe and hit notifying me👍 yeah, your reacting to new year s in Sydney, sweet look forward to it, your Canadian beautiful country always wanted to visit there. I'm going to go back and watch some of your other material also. Thanks mate happy new year s.🇦🇺💕
@@CanadianReacts while I got you here buddy I've got to give a mention to the Australian light horse men, and their horses, walers mate. You can check them on U tube There s a song written for them to. Our allies were stuck in the desert trying to get to some wells of water the Turks had. They tried and tried and failed. Then they called the Australian light horse 🐎. The boys crossed the desert giving most of the little food and water they had to there horses. When they reached Beersheba they charged those walers, the seen in the movie is well worth a look. We are really very proud of our Australian light horse. The song will give you a good taste of the Aussie spirit. 👌🐎🤠
It's a song recorded many times, many more affecting than Eric's original. I write songs, they're better than my singing, and if one person recorded one I'd be stoked. All in all, Mr Bogle created something wondrous. Have you done his song Green Fields of France? Another one for the gut.
@@CanadianReacts You know Eric Bogle Wrote the Song. He also Wrote a song Called lost Souls about 28 Aboriginal Australians ( But not considered Australians at the time WW1) I cant remember if 5 or 8 were killed only one has a grave , When the survivors returned to Australia they went back to being None Citizens. The best video Eric explains how he came to write the song
@@CanadianReacts You may be aware of this, but I'll let you know anyway. When the Aussies landed at dawn on the 25th of April 1915, a few hours later I believe, The Newfoundland Regiment landed at a beach well to the south of the Aussies, along with British troops. As you no doubt know, NL was not part of Canada at the time, and didn't officially join your Federation until 1949 I believe. A lot of Canadians don't know this fact. I believe the folks of NL still celebrate a remembrance ceremony on the 25th of April, as we celebrate ANZAC day, which is tomorrow btw.
@@warrenmilford1329 thanks Warren, yes I do know about ANZAC day. I did the Pogues version of this song 7 months ago and I did ‘I was only 19’ by redgum yesterday
The Gallipoli campaign was a costly failure for the Allies, with an estimated 27,000 French, and 115,000 British and dominion troops (Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Newfoundland) killed or wounded. Over half these casualties (73,485) were British and Irish troops
I find it mind blowing that those who declare war, are not the ones who go to war. I have been there, done that, all in the name of queen and country, and yes, i do ask myself why. There is an answer, refuse to go, but what would be the end result if the samecwas not applied to tge other side. It really comes down to one thing, EVERYBODY has to say no, everybody has to say , you want a war YOU go and fight it. I listen to the comments about the Ukraine war, and get as angry as hell because the same sort of people do their usual trick, THEY LIE! by this i mean, nobody tells the truth about who it was who paid a bribe of five billion dollars to a neo nazi group to topple a legal government, very much back my comment is a woman (she is no lady with her choice of words i can asure you) when people in east Ukraine saw what happened in Odessa they decided that they did not want to be governed by nazis and held a legal referendum, not to join Russia, but to become seperate. It was a really well attended referendum with a very forceful outcome, that although it was done per the book, everyone else ignored it, not only ignored it but certain countries even started to supply a huge amount of arms and money to west Ukraine to go bomb and shell east Ukraine FOR EIGHT YEARS SOLID, EIGHT YEARS IS LONGER THAN WW2 and the people of the world never asked and were never told just what was really happening. It all came down to exspansionism, another U,S. Missile base on the Russian boarder, only this time somebody had put a spanner in the works because as a seperate country the plan was going nowhere, that is untill we try a bit of genocide, paying someone else and giving them the gun so they would pull the triger, leaving them looking as clean as saints. There was one small problem, they had at the start threatend Russia not to interfer or there would be trouble for them, but as Russia saw these people slowly loosing it, they were quickly reminded that 28 million people from Russia had lost their lives to the nazis, and now it looked like they were to become the people living next door, so they acted, and got the blame for the whole thing, nobody listen to the woman and her plans, that was O.K. because it was America doing it, not Russia, and now we have the same country ramping up the anti by supplying huge ammounts of fund and just about every kind of war equipment you can think of, and still the world fails to see who really is the agressor. Russia does not want the Ukraine, for a start its a country that despite its huge wealth refuses to pay its bills, eight times Russia has wiped the slate clean for them, only to find the running up another bill, Russia does not, unlike the U.S. want the underground wealth of the country, but tgey dont want the nazis living next door either, and for that they are being bad mouthed across the globe, basically because people are not told the truth, you want the truth? Look at the videos made by an American who lives in eastern Ukraine, listen to his comments, his name is robert lanchaster.
As an Aussie this great song just doesn't work for me unless it is sung in the appropriate accent (Aussie of course), try the John Williamson or Slim Dusty version (both Aussie music icons) and for a more modern commemoration for the Diggers in Vietnam listen to I Was Only 19 by Redgum, a really moving tribute th-cam.com/video/WNTb9_zTvcQ/w-d-xo.html
Consider that in 1914, most Australians probably still spoke with some sort of UK derived accent. Eric Bogle wrote the song and his accent is perfectly appropriate. By the 1970’s, the Aussie accent was well developed and is perfectly expressed in Redgum’s I was only 19.
A tad annoyed at this as an Aussie who’s grandparents went to war. It’s an Australian song so why is most of what I see is Canadian. NOT COOL I get they were there too but Waltzing Matilda is an Australian song nothing to do with any Canadian ever disrespect not cool
No offence but Canada did not fight at Gallipoli (and not part of the ANZACs as someone else said). I have no clue why the video included the last part about Canada but its a bit insulting (As an Australian),
Sorry, but stopping the song and give us your opinions is distracting. It would be much better to let the song play and do subtitles. And then give us a sum up at the end.
I understand but often songs then get blocked due to copyright infringement then I’m risking a copyright strike which could have the entire channel shut down. I know this can be frustrating and it is for me as well. I’d rather enjoy the entire song too. I’ve never seen a reactor channel play an entire song. Perhaps there are some but unfortunately my lack of technical expertise is a hindrance to me.
This is not true, ANZACS were from Australia and New Zealand exclusively. But they did fight side by side Canandian regiments and army on the Western front and other WW1 battles.
When Eric Bogle released this, it was first played on TV on ANZAC Day eve. The whole Country broke down. Its the saddest most meaningful song to Aussies there ever has been and God willing, we wont need another one again. No Aussie can listen to this without crying.
So powerful
It was a multinational screw up and those poor men didn't have a chance. The organizer was Winston Churchill. He never forgave himself and that's why he was so hesitant about the D day landings. The Turks on the high ground couldn't miss. One Irish regiment was given so little ammo that they went into the guns slinging stones with bare hands. Pitiful. But thank God for them , I am in a position to wish you a happy new year, God bless Canada, love from Yorkshire, England. Kind regards Martin.
This is not the original version of Eric Bogle's song. The backing sounds tinny by comparison.
Thanks for sharing....I am 79yrs old and grew up knowing about the WW1 & knowing a few of the old veterans....I learnt to sing & play this song with my guitar so the words are imbedded in my memory.... cheers from Australia 😀
Thanks very much for writing Robert
The last Australian digger from WW1 died in 2001, aged 106. Growing up in Australia, Gallipoli was always there in my mind and came right to the fore every April 25th. Canada will always be close to Australia and it didn't surprise me to see the Maple Leaf in the video. We're both in the Commonwealth. I live in the US now but I'll forever be an Aussie before anything else.
Thanks so much for sharing another great story. I love reading them. Cheers
The survivors from Gallipoli went on to fight on the western front . Where our losses were even higher, It truly was a baptism of fire for a young nation.
I’ve learned so much doing these videos. Thanks
Another interesting fact is that on both the Australian and Canadian sight loads to of indigenous people fought and died those who survived were be spit upon when they returned when are both Canada and Australia gonna repair the damages of 300 years of genocide.
Macman Many Irish died in Gallipoli too remember Ireland was under England then.
Not all went to the Western Front. In fact, a gret many of the Light Horse were sent to the Middle East to fight the Ottomans in Palestine. The Charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba was part of this campaign. The Light Horse Flying Column that captured Constantinople led to the surrender of Ottoman Turkey to the British.
And most of them saddled up again 20 years later.
Gallipoli was a coming of age on the world stage for Aus and NZ. Unlike alot of other countries, we hold our greatest losses as our most important time. It still fuels Australian culture today. RIP
Canadians had a similar coming of age at the Somme and Ypres. Hugs from Canada 🇨🇦
The song is an account of the memories of an old Australian man who, as a youngster, had travelled across rural Australia as a swagman, "waltzing [his] Matilda" (carrying his "swag", a combination of portable sleeping gear and luggage) all over the bush and Outback. In 1915, he joined the Australian armed forces and was sent to Gallipoli. For "ten weary weeks", he kept himself alive as "around [him] the corpses piled higher". Eventually, he is wounded by a shell burst and awakens in hospital to find that he has lost both of his legs. He declares it to be a fate worse than death, as he can "go no more waltzing Matilda".
When the ship carrying the young soldiers had left Australia, the band played "Waltzing Matilda" while crowds waved flags and cheered. When the crippled narrator returns , the people watch in silence and finally turn their faces away in horror. As an old man, he now watches his comrades march in Anzac Day parades from his porch. As the war falls out of living memory, young people question the purpose of the observances, and he finds himself doing the same. With each passing year, the parades become smaller, as "more old men disappear", and he observes that "some day, no one will march there at all".
These words are chilling
An excellent summary - Lest We Forget.
@@nevyn_karres thanks for writing Nevyn
@@nevyn_karres Lest we forget. We will remember them.
My grandfather was in a cavalry unit and returned with mustard gas burns to his lungs.
It was ANZAC day 2 day's ago 25th April, as an Aussie vet this song seriously tears at my heart 💔
Many people told me about ANZAC day I had no idea when I did the Pogues version 7 months ago
Some of the pictures in the pogues clip you reacted to were truly iconic to Australians. I think there's a guy called Simpson there, who was famous with his donkey for constantly going up to the front lines, very exposed and in great danger, and retrieving the wounded and bringing them down the hill on his donkey to the water side. He did it for quite some time until he was killed. He like Eric Bogle, and many of the Australians in Gallipoli was actually an immigrant from the UK - Bogle from Scotland as I'm sure a lot of the Anzacs were, and Simpson from England.
Great information!!
I'm Australian and can confirm 🤘🏻..forever the band march✊🤘🏻
What about the thousands of indigenous Australians whom fought that war only to be spit upon on their return and couldn't even have a beer with their comrades cause they weren't allowed in pubs
@@kurtaussie585 yes - that happened, though I don't know the numbers, there were definitely indigenous Australians in both wars, and some were actually in both. Still racially profiled back at home. It's a stain on Australia that can only be removed by ending prejudice for ever.
@@michaelwebster8389 yeah I know that happened my grandfather was one of them whom fought in both world wars without actually having a clue what they were really about. When he came back home in the late 40s after his second war he had his kids(my father and aunty)stolen by the Australian government ( another of the many stains on Australia's history). But these things didn't only happen to Australia's indigenous population, it happened to the indigenous Canadians my grandfather fought some of both wars with. It also happened to loads of African-Americans and indigenous people in South America. Just ending prejudice isn't gonna repair that. We are gonna need a lot more to really repair what's been done by the colonial powers in the new world. By the way we all like to act like those things are in the past but remember that in the NT and in WA there's still segregated lines for buying alcohol, 100s of Aboriginal kids get locked up in Don Dale, loads of pregnant women still disappear and if Aboriginal Australians were their own country it would be the poorest country in the world, our land still gets stolen and destroyed to make a profit not for the community but for foreign oil and gas companies. I could continue for hours but you see what I mean right. Australia hasn't even done the slightest effort to improve the lives of those whom they stole the land from just ending prejudice isn't gonna repair that.
The thing that was more heartbreaking was the fact all these men volunteered. Not a single one was conscripted. Many of them either lied about their ages or pestered their parents to a sign a “permission slip”. The youngest to have died in Gallipoli was only 14.
Their country asked for help and these men stood up and answered the call. Virtually a whole generation of young men wiped out in a matter of months. Going around Australia, pretty much every city/ town has a memorial of some sort to their slain sons. It’s quite upsetting reading the names because you’ll often see a family that has lost multiple sons. Heartbreaking stuff.
My reaction to the Pogues version was the first time I had heard the song. It has over 50k views now
I'd love to play this song on guitar for my Grandchildren but I think I'd be to emotional to make it all the way through the song.Thanks for posting & for your comments.
I appreciate you writing Chris
Yes, they were very young. Many as young as 14 who fudged their ages to experience the "great adventure" as it was put to them. Australia had a much higher percentage of the population located away from the big smoke since we were much more reliant on sheep, cattle and agriculture. These were first generation Aussies given we had just become a nation less than 15 years earlier. The War losses caused havoc for years with the ladies having to do more then their fair share. Hardened people in those days. This is where the Aussie spirit was born.
Waltzing Matilda was basically a pub song in 1915, sung around the pianos and fiddles. It had been written as a poem by one of our best, A.B. "Banjo" Paterson in the early 1890's soon after the famous Queensland shearer's strike (listen to the song 1891 by the Bushwackers). WM was put to music, thought to be by Christina Macpherson, whose parents' property Banjo allegedly wrote the poem on. The song became more famous after being first recorded in early 1930's.
Thanks there’s been so much thorough information I’ve heard from viewers. Thanks for this too. I appreciate your encouragement.
I defy anyone to not have a tear in their eye after listening to this most descriptive song.
Well said John
Mate once again I thank you for your interest and feelings, in Australia our School Children are made aware of the Sacrifice and most Schools will hold their own ANZAC Services in house and also join a local R.S.L. organised Anzac Day Dawn Service(often with a Gunfire Breakfast) and a later ( around 11-00hrs)a short March with Veterans and Serving Troops and a Service.
I was for some 10 years the Secretary of a Queensland R.S.L. Sub Branch in a Rural Town, during my time I organised Fundraising activities to raise funds for Veterans in need, To support Schools financially with required specialist equipment ie Flag Hoists, Books, electronic equipment, financial support for Flag Poles, Memorials etc etc.
Also organised were Pre ANZAC/Remembrance Day Visits to six local Schools to talk and enlighten the Pupils about the "Sacrifice" BUT never about the Muck and Bullets, rather to explain that thanks to the ANZAC'S who's spirit continue to this Day, we live in Australia as a Free Country, where Children particularly Girls are allowed to go to School and University, listen to the music they like, Play Sports, Vote in Federal and State Elections, wear the cloths they choose, go home to a warm bed etc etc.
As an ex Serviceman I served and did my bit in the Far East to keep Communism at bay on an operational unit on Active Service, in that particular stint I completed three years without returning to the UK and experienced some pretty horrific moments, however it was nothing compared to my childhood in the U.K. during WW2.
I never once related to the Pupils about he Gory details but was able to explain what they have to day and what we did not have during WW2 ... to see their faces whenWW2 rationing quantities were displayed they could not believe how we existed( one of the gifts I remember getting at my School was Chocolate Milk Powder from CANADA).
I had a host of reflections from experience/reading that I could relate to to enlighten the Pupils of the Sacrifice and the purpose behind ANZAC and Remembrance Days.
It was always interesting to see their reactions when it was explained that in WW1 many young men would walk hundreds of Km from the outback to sign up to support the Old Country(U.K.) as there was a bit of Biffo going on over THERE and they were up for it, also that as so many groups of lads who were friends if one went they all joined in, Surprisingly a lot of the young men lied about their age some being 13 and 14.
Lest we Forget
I hope the tradition of keeping young people informed of the tragedy of warriors that fought & died for the freedoms we all take for granted. Ukraine in utter devastation should show us what can happen in a relatively short amount of time. I hope you enjoyed the chocolate milk powder 😃. Cheers.
My dad was born in 1932, in the middle of the depression, he told me when war was declared in WWII, so many young guys couldn’t wait to join up….they were poor, hungry and desperate for adventure. Very sad. 🇨🇦
As an Australian ,and a pouges fan as well I find both versions just as touching in different ways.the mgowan’s voice has more anger in it….[I’d play the pogues version mostly but the Eric boggle version I’d play on Anzac Day . My grandfather did 3 years he was luckily gassed and did survive up to 1963, but the gas caught him eventualy. His opinion on ww1 fits very neatly with the lyrics, when his mates started the war talk he just took mum and walked away….there was no glory for him in that war
+mark carroll I can’t agree with your grandfather more.
Eric Bogle, a consumate song writer. This is incredibly sad but incredibly necessary at the same time. As he says "some day no one will march there at all" History has to learned and embraced. His song "now I'm easy" which is a about a small subsistence farmer in the Austrialian outback is incredible. These songs were extensively covered by Irish balad singers and folk groups in Ireland when I was growing up so very famiar with them. Extremely moving to this day.
Thanks Shane
@@CanadianReacts you should also check out "The Green Fields Of France" also by Eric Bogle reflecting on the grave of a young 19 year old who died in WW1. Grew up listening to many versions but the one by Finbar Furey is my favourite. Keep up the good work.
@@shanecummins2556 thanks for the encouragement Shane
@@CanadianReacts You're more than welcome. Subscribed. Love your videos. Happy New year.
@@shanecummins2556 cheers 🍻
I'm Australian both my granddad's were there. I will never forget.✌️💖
Amazing Robert. Thanks for sharing
Another wonderful song written and sung by Eric Bogle is No mans Land, more commonly known as the Green Fields of France. His voice is absolutely beautiful
G'day, I know this comment is late but I watch this song from time to time, and you posted this on my birthday! Those that went to Gallipoli from Australia were ANZAC's, being made up of those from both Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and marks our most sacred day of the year above all else - 25 April, ANZAC Day.
This clip was put together and I quote 'Mixed with pictures from Gallipoli are pictures of past and present Canadian troops because this song and slideshow was played during a Remembrance Day assembly at a Canadian public school."
The fact that Canadians were included in the pics really got the comments talking, but this is my preferred clip, and the opening does list the original reason for the song.
We here in Australia hold the Canadians closer to our hearts than we do the Americans, as I feel that our two countries share a lot in common. It is a shame that our two locations are on opposite sides of the world. Thanks for playing the song, and I shed more than one tear when I watch and listen to this song - why do I do it to myself. Cheers.
Thanks very much for sharing. I didn’t know the story behind the video. I did Eric Bogle too 3 months ago
I did the Pogues 6 months ago.
What a song ( thanx to all who have served)
I don’t know if you are aware that “Waltzing Matilda” actually means a swagman carrying his pack, swag going from town to town generally looking for work. The song Waltzing Matilda is generally regarded as an unofficial national anthem.
Thanks Louise, yes someone pointed that out. I didn’t know about the unofficial anthem part though.
My Australian auntie got quite angry when, as a small child, I asked if Waltzing Matilda was her NationalAnthem 😂
@@Dee-JayW I wonder whether your auntie was angry because Waltzing Matilda is about a man who steals a sheep and before he's caught by the police he commits suicide by drowning in a billabong. Great music - lyrics perhaps not so good for an Australian Anthem.
Pushing back a little on the young people not understanding the war (from the perspective of a 23 year old), growing up in Australia, ANZAC day and Remembrance Day (11th November, just like in the rest of the Commonwealth) are still important days here. School children will often be involved in ANZAC services and most schools will participate in some sort of commemoration every year. Through school, the topics of WW1 and WW2 form at least a part of the curriculum, with the option to study it further in high school if wanted. For a lot of us as well, many will have had relatives that fought in WW1 (especially considering the size of the population of Australia at the time and the losses per capita suffered, almost everyone was related to or knew someone who didn't come home or was severely wounded). A lot of families also emigrated to Australia after WW2 and consequent wars, so the impacts are still quite fresh and felt.
On dad's side, my great-great uncles fought at Gallipoli. One was killed in the landing. His brother survived and was sent back to Australia and then sent onto the Somme, where his experiences left him with debilitating health conditions for the rest of his life. My grandfather served in the Australian Navy in WW2 and missed being onboard the HMAS Canberra when it was sunk by a couple of weeks.
On mum's side, her entire family is Polish. In WW1 my great-grandfather fought on the Eastern front and was later captured and almost executed by the Bolsheviks only to be killed in Auschwitz as a political prisoner. My grandmother, slightly younger than I am now, fought in the Polish Underground Army/Home Army and after her participation in the Warsaw Uprising became a Prisoner of War. Most of my maternal relatives were captured and killed by the Nazis or exiled by the Soviets. My grandparents were eventually able to emigrate to Australia in the late 40s (by way of France) and my grandmother would later participate in the ANZAC day marches, including wearing her service medals, when the marches were opened not just to those who fought (or now, are descendants of those who served) in the Australian Defence Forces, but also Commonwealth and Allied forces.
Great information Laura. Thanks.
God bless you our Canadian brother.
I appreciate your encouragement thanks.
@@CanadianReacts Cheers
You mentioned how young they were. My Great Uncle was 21 when he signed up and was sent to Gallipoli with the 12th Light Horse. His younger brother, my grandfather, was 16 three months later when he signed up. He was placed in the Pioneers and spent his 17th, 18th and 19th birthdays in the mud fields of France, Flanders and Belgium. Yes, they were young.
Before the days of soy lattes & scooters eh?
@@CanadianReacts Bloody oath. My Grandad went droving cattle in the outback for a good while when he got home. Helped to forget the war, I guess.
It is a promising thing that there is a Turkish branch within the rsl[returned servicemens leauge]…Turk veterans have marched[those still alive] with Australian vetrans on Anzac Day , it holds out hope for humanity…it’s also of note that the aussies ,kiwis and Canadians often fought side by side in France and did it more successfully than the other contingency’s
This happened in Melbourne. As far as I am aware it is the only time an 'enemy' has marched with us on ANZAC parades. May have something to do with the attitude of the Turks when we left as well as the humane way they treated our PWs.
@@francismcknight724 Also perhaps they felt dragged in by Germany, in a similar way to our committment to the British Empire, so we would not have otherwise been fighting.
What was so scary was that there were so many that lied about their age to join the war. They had the greatest Dreams of Grandeur and romantised War as Glorious and a great way to travel and explore and experience.
Children as young as 15 - 16 enrolled pretending they were older. And there was also many older that pretended to be younger to join up for the same reason, large groups of mates and even family group members all joining up at the same time to stay together.
They were all brought to a brutal screaming halt and realised soon enough what War was really like and not a single one failed to regret their actions.
Watching their best freinds get turned to a liquid spray of blood in an instant, maimed and horrified and terrified for the first time in their lives. Those that survived to return from the war were never mentally sound ever again.
The great sadness every soldier carries can never be expressed
I don't know whether to thank you or not mate but you brought tears to me eyes again. Ok mate.
It’s a moving song for sure
Much love from Australia great videos and content many agree with you
Thanks Sonja
My great uncle was just 17 when he was killed at Gallipoli, it’s such a sad part of our history
Brave young men before soy latte and scooters
I love this version of this song!
Thanks Johnny I did the Pogues version too
@@CanadianReacts I watched that as well.
Shane McGowan is an absolute legend.
Can you please react to God Bless England by the Mary Wallopers?
They're a group of young lads keeping Irish music alive.
Here's the link...
m.th-cam.com/video/Z3uUGs8K1SE/w-d-xo.html
Hope everything is going well for you over there in 🇨🇦
💚 from 🇮🇪.
My long deceased uncle Don was an ANZAC on the Western Front. He went 'over the top' on 2 occasions, very violent for a 19 year old. Barb wire snaring dead bodies, men losing limps, enemy machine guns, artillery, concussion, noise, screaming men, the list goes on. He survived and was having breakfast behind the 'Front lines and a stray shell interrupted his meal.
Was wounded, invalided back to Australia. When I was a very little boy I use go to his corner shop and every afternoon he wound shut the premises and go to the Returned Services League for his 'tot' of rum. Ask my father why? And dad said they gave men a cup of rum before they 'went over the top.' The habit never left him.
Ever heard of 'The Kokoda Track?' My uncle Nick was drafted at 19 to serve in the 'Militia,' Survived the whole war and use to show a folded up map in his work uniform to me to see where he travelled north until the end in 1945.
Remember the 'Redgum song: 'Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)'? A song about Vietnam. My uncle Keith. Never settled down, last heard 10 years ago he was living somewhere in Scandinavia. May have passed away now. Well, my father passed away this year so I will never know.
Guess who turned 19 when I finished my 'Basic Training 26 years later?
My review of Redgum is my most popular music reaction with over 50k views
@@CanadianReacts Thank you Sir 😊
If you hunt down and watch the film “Gallipoli” with a very young Mel Gibson, it’s a criminally underrated film one of my top 5 war films, both desperate and sad, no heroics just real.
Thanks Josh
@@CanadianReacts Do it, even do a reaction to it. The ending is incredible. Mel Gibson's break out role.
I loved Gallipoli. It is a pity it is not given more attention.
The music as he runs across the trenches... Jean Michel Jarre Oxygene is awesome for the mood.
Great film for so many reasons
I have been listening to Eric (and many others) sing this song since the early '70s. It is one from a massive body of work. I have more than a dozen variants in my music collection including 4 by Eric. I believe my paternal grandfather was in Galipoli. Both my parents were in WWII and are buried in the Canadian Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, QC as are my wife's father and his parents.
The first to record this song was June Tabor. Eric had a hit before he ever recorded it himself. Another song he wrote in the early days was "No Man's Land" aka The Green Fields of France or Willie McBride. Give that one a listen.
Thanks. I happened upon the Pogues version first, about 8 months ago and I did Green Fields recently but couldn’t add the video due to computer memory being full. Thanks for writing
It was a surprise to see Canada featured here. But that's a good thing! It's a good song. Especially when Canada's contribution to all our collective wars, has remained almost unmentioned to my ears at least. Oh Canada!
Thanks Jonathan, I’ve had lots notice and some question the authenticity but overall it’s a great video.
We are happy that that version had Canadian Military shown in it, a Song so old but still so powerful is for all of humanity to share.
We are lucky here a lot of our Young are involved in ANZAC Day Marches, they save and fundraise all year to travel to Gallipoli, Kokoda Trail, France and other destination, to stand in for those long gone, war in schools is not sanitised in our schools, they see Photos and Film taken during the wars.
We mostly commemorate our biggest defeats, we did eventually beat the Turks the beginning of the end was at Beersheba, but we rarely think or talk about that, by then so many people had died not just Aussies and others from the Commonwealth, what some felt worst about was all the Civilians they saw killed or Starved.
Now how do we get the Yanks to think same way as Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians do we may at least avoid some of their Pointless Endless Wars, only reason they drag us Allies in is to keep their Industrial War Machine Churning.
Follow the money.
Eighth gen Anglo Australian of convict ancestry. Lost my great grandfather at Gallipoli. A grandfather in North Africa in ww2 and another who was never really right in the head after three years on the railway.
Many people don't realise that from a population of fractionally under six million, over half of which were women and children, a full one million Australian men served in the Second World War with similar per capita statistics for World War One.
New Zealand contributed even higher per capita ratios and I know and all Australians know that Canada was right there on the same page.
I'm sure I'm not the first to mention it, mate but you truly need to watch the movie Gallipoli staring a very young Mel Gibson.
It's not only one of the most iconic Australian movies ever made but its deeply sacrosanct to Australians on a cultural level.
You'l find it online. Well known and highly acclaimed movie on a global scale.
Australians and Canadians will always be brothers. Family ties and cultural similarities aside because of the Great Wars.
Sincerely, I'd give my life defending Canada even today as would any Australian I know.
Best wishes.
Brothers in arms.
Five Eyes forever.
Thanks for sharing this personal information
The saddest thing about this song is that although all the WWI veterans have died and the WWII veterans are dying out, there are still no shortage of veterans left to march. Although numbers are falling there are still men and women serving in war zones, and I cannot see a day when there will be no combat veterans left to march on ANZAC Day or veterans left on Remembrance Day.
This is why the memories must be kept alive on paper and video
I misspoke- I meant no shortage of veterans. We do not stop our involvement in wars.
@@brontewcat this is an unfortunate reality of the thirst for power
Much respect !!
Thanks Scott, I did the Pogues version first and didn’t know about this one or Green Fields of France
My great grandfather was also killed in WW1 and my grandmother was sent to ireland as her mother could no longer take care of her as she had more kids too...she was taken care of by nuns....she never saw her family again....very sad ..my mother always told me about it....i'm not sure if you have heard of the green fields of france sang by the fureys....one great song....
I think I have that Furey song on my to do list
@@CanadianReacts you'll enjoy it
ERic Bogle also wrote the Green Fields of France
The last of the original ANZAC's Alec Campbell was only 16 when he was at Gallipoli. He died in 2002 aged 103.
Wow. That’s incredible
Check out the Liam Clancy version, even more moving I think.
I have the Pogues version up as well
There was a small Canadian contingent at Gallipoli, with a total of just 30 deaths, compared to over 8000 Australian dead. For some reason this film clip has been modified for a Canadian audience!
Someone wrote to me they thought it was used for a Remembrance Day ceremony in Canada ( specifically Newfoundland)
The song is about WWI more generally, and I think it's fair to say that Canadians did their share, Passchendaele, Vimy etc.
Today is Anzac day for Aussies and Kiwi's. Appropriate that I've seen this video. I'd suggest another great song for us is I was only 19 by redgum. If it doesn't bring a tear to your eyes, it surely does for me..Honor to the Anzac, cheers buddy 👍
I did redgum 2 days ago
Hello my friend from north wales🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Hello Tony I’m not Welsh but nana was from Pontypridd
@@CanadianReacts hello there and thanks for the reply! I’ve been to Pontypridd last year for the first time. I live on the island of Anglesey in the north it,s about a 4 hour drive to Pontypridd 🌼🏴💕
Lest We Forget
True
Written by that wonderful Scotsman and also Australia, Eric Bogle. Still the yardstick performance.... It's a pity the newer shots show Canacks rather than Aussie Diggers...... From Gallipoli, Western Front, Palestine, and then Tobruk, Singapore/Malaya, New Guinea, and onto Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afganistan with a lot of active service in between. Us Aussies have been fortunate having those who are prepared to serve on for all of us. Lest We Forget. Greetings from Australia......
Thanks Peter. I’ve learned so much from people writing in.
Eric wrote the song. From the same town as me in scotland Peebles
That's great information Mike, thanks.
Gallipoli Campaign
Newfoundland Regiment participated in the Gallipoli Campaign from September 1915 to January 1916, where approximately 30 were killed in action and 10 more died of disease.
Thanks Coreena
There was such cameraderie among Australian farming communities at that time that whole towns and districts of young men joined up. Many forged their parents' signatures to join up as young as 14. There are towns in outback Australia where every young man over 15 was killed. In someone else's war. Just imagine it. The uproar at how Australian and New Zealand troops were maltreated by the British generals, meant that after the Gallipoli campaign, Australian troops were never again placed under direct British command.
The war in Ukraine is already showing similar instances.
@@CanadianReacts Instead of picking sides in war, we need to be declaring war itself as the great evil. Those Turkish young men were just as good as "our boys", and many more of them died than ours. Ataturk's comments at the end of the war led to the forging of a real respect and friendship between Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.
@@77goanywhere as I said in the Pogues reaction, there are no winners in war.
@@77goanywhere Steve I've been to a Turkish cemetery at Gallipoli, there are many young kids buried there, more and younger than our boys. You are so right, there's never any "winners".
Saw him perform this in Katoomba not a dry eye in the house.
Thanks Dennis
Not sure if available where you are but Anzacs mini-series and Gallipoli mini-series are good for telling some of it too.
I hear Mel Gibson did a great movie about that early in his career.
50 000 dead was not for Australian dead at Galipolli, the number was between 8 and 9 000. The number was in the high 50s for the entire war
Totally agree they were all heroes. Just unimaginable to me what they went through BUT the song is thankfully not glorifying it and right at the end, I ask myself the same question also. It is a stark difference between how Aus (and I think canada) treat veterans. Deep respect BUT if you choose to go then don't brag on when you get back and don't make it obvious thaT THAT WAS WHY YOU JOINED IN THE FIRST PLACE . Not everyone agrees and we all have difficult things to do at times. The conscripts however (brother in law sent to Vietnam) I have the deepest respect for
Pogues did a gritty ‘everyman’ version
Eric Bogle has said he hates the version by The Pogues (but jokes he's happy for the royalties). My own personal favourite is by June Tabor - the unaccompanied simplicity and her gorgeous voice makes it all the more evocative. I believe Tabor's was also the first version recorded back in tge mid 70s.
I’ve never had anyone mention her before although I’ve had a few other names pop up. Thanks for writing.
I like Ronnie Drew’s version.
Had a uncle who survived Gallipoli he went there as a 15 year old, was lucky to survive western front as well his three mates he joined up with were all killed in the first few days at Gallipoli. They were all under-age pretty common in ww1.
Wow, that’s an amazing. Kids today think the world is ending when the wifi is down.
Yeah what those men went through is something very unique, was always interested in finding out about my uncle from story's I had heard which sent me down the rabbit hole of reading unit diary's as well as individual soldiers diary's to find out more pieces of his story, and the more you read those the more surreal that war becomes, it's a mix of sheer frightening brutality humour and the luck of being in the right place at the right time. By the time he left France in 1919 he had been wounded 7 times, he used to joke about a little bomb fight they got involved in once it consisted of the bomber's in his battalion throwing 15,000 hand grenades at the enemy over a period of 3 days. It was truly amazing that they survived the things they went through over there.
@@matthewcharles5867 in light of today’s Russian invasion these things really open one’s eyes to think of the innocent people of Kyiv
In a book I have about soldiers in WW1 the youngest was a New Zealand boy. He was 11. They didn't care about age. The past is another country....they do things differently there. It is the black and white that hits me more.
I think it was a very different time
You have to appreciate the call.... Eric doesn't really cover that part well.
Throughout the war they conducted marches through the outback, some to Sydney, and would take on volunteers as they marched through.
Famous ones include the Coo-ee March and the Kangaroo March.
It was quite succesful, probably due to the fact that most of the settlers in rural towns got their land through serving in the Boar war.
But by using words like "dragged", it does a disservice to the mood at the time.
The men were mostly excited about it, and thought of it as adventure and a change to the drudgery of the home life. And honestly, most of them thought they would be home by Christmas.
But yes, the biggest travesty of Gallipoli was that Australian and New Zealand forces were almost entirely volunteer forces. Indeed most of the Australian forces during the war were volunteers.
Thanks for this
+A Different Angle the pride Australian people must be deep
P
@@CanadianReacts Once I would have said that. Not today.
When I look at the captured guns that still take pride of place in every country town (who's regiments captured guns - so most), I understand what those guns mean.
When I was a young boy, the names that are written on the wall of every train station was the names of grandfathers and great uncles, and you could see which families in the town were most affected.
Now, children don't appreciate what those monuments are. They don't go up to the guns and play on them, and their grandparents were likely born after the second World War.
Every ANZAC day as the men march out at dawn some feminist writes a toxic article in the paper arguing against points that nobody was making.
Every day the young adults complain about all of the things that make their lives slightly difficult, but will not lift a finger to save their souls.
There is a very good reason why the men marched, and although Bogles song was a challenge to the idea, it is wrong in a sense, because the marching is very very necessary.
And while some might indeed glorify the military, it is inevitable with interest that the reality will set in, and once you see the reality, it is enough to make a grown man cry.
So, for those of us who are still True Blue, carry the flag and pass it on, we have a losing battle being fought right now, and it is a battle of culture.
@@adifferentangle7064 To add another perspective as a Gen X Australian, I see many young people today who are very respectful of Anzac Day and do their best to understand. I feel many people rise when challenged, but deal with trivialities at other times. I think many of the fine young people will be just as brave if need be, just more educated about when it is worth it.
Lest We Forget.
Amen
I honestly haven’t heard the original version of this song.
I constantly listen to The Colonial Boys version. I believe that their version is the best, but I may just be a little biased because I’m not used to the original.
🍻🇦🇺ANZAC🇳🇿🍻
L E S T W E F O R G E T
Some of the soldiers were as young as 12 yo if not younger, as they changed their birth certificates to get to go and fight. Some got found out when the doctors checked them for them to fight.
That’s crazy!
@@CanadianReacts Yes, Australians back then didn't know about Wars and were told this war will be over in 6 months. So many wanted to go because they saw it as an opportunity to see the world for free etc. Australia lost a lot of multi skilled men in that war as well as in WWII and I believe if they didn't go Australia would have been a more amazing place and so advanced and probably better than America etc. It set back Australia at least 1 to 2 centuries in my eyes Just dont think new generation is going to be as productive etc or as willing to help our country. If you know what I mean.
I knew a soldier from WWII, well my Vietnam veteran knew him better than me. This soldier fought and then became a POW. The Japanese really treated the POWs badly. When he was rescued years later, he came home and was told he has done enough and start his live again. He tried to rejoin the fight and they said no. So he asked him friend if he could use his name and birth certificate and he did. He went back to the war. He survived by the way. He even tried to join the Vietnam war but was too old. He did it for his mates etc.
@@Mav_F this is an amazing story and was one unexpected benefit of starting this channel. I just wanted to find some different music but this stuff is incredible. Thank you.
@@CanadianReacts Try and watch "The Anzacs" TV Miniseries from the 1980s. I think it is on TH-cam and six parts. It gives you the idea about the Aussies in WWI.
@@CanadianReacts th-cam.com/play/PLLh1usqLUofITA6LT7K6vAHpP94sYLuNn.html
I commend you to look up 'the Snowy River Men' by Kevin Baker, a song close to the sentiments in this video.
Thanks Russell, I need some lighter stuff for a while.
Have you ever listened to the Ronnie Drew Version?
No unfortunately I haven’t Jenni. There’s so many great versions.
Well said.✌️💖
Thanks Robert
He is not a version…. He is the original , he wrote it in 1971
My mistake
When the ANZAC s landed on the beach early that morning they were not aware it was surrounded by rock cliffs, the Turks were ready for us and the sure had the higher ground. Still they boys charged climbing the cliff faces and took the fight to the the Turks. We shall remember them. Every year we gather early morning at this time . 💞🇭🇲
Thanks Jodie set your notifications for a Sydney Harbour Preview later today
@@CanadianReacts ok I'm not sure how to set notifications, I'm not tech savvy I'll try, but I'll promise I'll catch the harbour review later today cheers 🍻 mate, new year s eve here tonight, so half of Australia is about to get on it, almost party time.
@@CanadianReacts ok got it subscribe and hit notifying me👍 yeah, your reacting to new year s in Sydney, sweet look forward to it, your Canadian beautiful country always wanted to visit there. I'm going to go back and watch some of your other material also. Thanks mate happy new year s.🇦🇺💕
@@jodiecostello6356 I think notifications are set by the bell icon
@@CanadianReacts while I got you here buddy I've got to give a mention to the Australian light horse men, and their horses, walers mate. You can check them on U tube There s a song written for them to. Our allies were stuck in the desert trying to get to some wells of water the Turks had. They tried and tried and failed. Then they called the Australian light horse 🐎. The boys crossed the desert giving most of the little food and water they had to there horses. When they reached Beersheba they charged those walers, the seen in the movie is well worth a look. We are really very proud of our Australian light horse. The song will give you a good taste of the Aussie spirit. 👌🐎🤠
looks like they have made content for each country involved ,i did prefer this version also it has the current conflicts too
It's a song recorded many times, many more affecting than Eric's original. I write songs, they're better than my singing, and if one person recorded one I'd be stoked.
All in all, Mr Bogle created something wondrous.
Have you done his song Green Fields of France? Another one for the gut.
I did the Pogues version too. Thanks for the suggestion too
@@CanadianReacts You know Eric Bogle Wrote the Song. He also Wrote a song Called lost Souls about 28 Aboriginal Australians ( But not considered Australians at the time WW1) I cant remember if 5 or 8 were killed only one has a grave , When the survivors returned to Australia they went back to being None Citizens. The best video Eric explains how he came to write the song
@@cavers01 the lyrics are beautifully sad
@@CanadianReacts You may be aware of this, but I'll let you know anyway. When the Aussies landed at dawn on the 25th of April 1915, a few hours later I believe, The Newfoundland Regiment landed at a beach well to the south of the Aussies, along with British troops. As you no doubt know, NL was not part of Canada at the time, and didn't officially join your Federation until 1949 I believe. A lot of Canadians don't know this fact. I believe the folks of NL still celebrate a remembrance ceremony on the 25th of April, as we celebrate ANZAC day, which is tomorrow btw.
@@warrenmilford1329 thanks Warren, yes I do know about ANZAC day. I did the Pogues version of this song 7 months ago and I did ‘I was only 19’ by redgum yesterday
Thank you
Thanks for writing
Someone tell me why the Canadians were represented in a song about the anzacs
I’m not sure
There one 15 years old and one 14/9 months who died on galipoli
Wow, horrible
The Gallipoli campaign was a costly failure for the Allies, with an estimated 27,000 French, and 115,000 British and dominion troops (Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Newfoundland) killed or wounded. Over half these casualties (73,485) were British and Irish troops
Thanks Anthony horrible losses
Eric boggle actually wrote this
Cheers
Read Robert Graves book
Goodbye To All that
There are more graphic autobiographies but his WW1 story is real
I like the welsh flag...I wanted to move to England but then after watching prince Charles go to Wales in the Crown I want to move to Wales lol
I’ve never been myself. My nana grew up there
8000 Aussies died at Gallipoli not 50000. About 60000 to 65000 Aussies died in all of WW1.
Great song but I think the Pogues relay the sadness and stupidity of the war better.
I did the Pogues 7 months ago!! Have a look
@@CanadianReacts Cheers l did find it, thanks for covering Anzac Day it's always an emotional day here in Australia. 👍
Their are no winners in war only losers
Exactly, well said Jeff
I find it mind blowing that those who declare war, are not the ones who go to war.
I have been there, done that, all in the name of queen and country, and yes, i do ask myself why.
There is an answer, refuse to go, but what would be the end result if the samecwas not applied to tge other side.
It really comes down to one thing, EVERYBODY has to say no, everybody has to say , you want a war YOU go and fight it.
I listen to the comments about the Ukraine war, and get as angry as hell because the same sort of people do their usual trick, THEY LIE!
by this i mean, nobody tells the truth about who it was who paid a bribe of five billion dollars to a neo nazi group to topple a legal government, very much back my comment is a woman (she is no lady with her choice of words i can asure you) when people in east Ukraine saw what happened in Odessa they decided that they did not want to be governed by nazis and held a legal referendum, not to join Russia, but to become seperate.
It was a really well attended referendum with a very forceful outcome, that although it was done per the book, everyone else ignored it, not only ignored it but certain countries even started to supply a huge amount of arms and money to west Ukraine to go bomb and shell east Ukraine FOR EIGHT YEARS SOLID, EIGHT YEARS IS LONGER THAN WW2 and the people of the world never asked and were never told just what was really happening.
It all came down to exspansionism, another U,S. Missile base on the Russian boarder, only this time somebody had put a spanner in the works because as a seperate country the plan was going nowhere, that is untill we try a bit of genocide, paying someone else and giving them the gun so they would pull the triger, leaving them looking as clean as saints.
There was one small problem, they had at the start threatend Russia not to interfer or there would be trouble for them, but as Russia saw these people slowly loosing it, they were quickly reminded that 28 million people from Russia had lost their lives to the nazis, and now it looked like they were to become the people living next door, so they acted, and got the blame for the whole thing, nobody listen to the woman and her plans, that was O.K. because it was America doing it, not Russia, and now we have the same country ramping up the anti by supplying huge ammounts of fund and just about every kind of war equipment you can think of, and still the world fails to see who really is the agressor.
Russia does not want the Ukraine, for a start its a country that despite its huge wealth refuses to pay its bills, eight times Russia has wiped the slate clean for them, only to find the running up another bill, Russia does not, unlike the U.S. want the underground wealth of the country, but tgey dont want the nazis living next door either, and for that they are being bad mouthed across the globe, basically because people are not told the truth, you want the truth? Look at the videos made by an American who lives in eastern Ukraine, listen to his comments, his name is robert lanchaster.
That’s amazing information, government use people like toy soldiers. Thanks John.
As an Aussie this great song just doesn't work for me unless it is sung in the appropriate accent (Aussie of course), try the John Williamson or Slim Dusty version (both Aussie music icons) and for a more modern commemoration for the Diggers in Vietnam listen to I Was Only 19 by Redgum, a really moving tribute th-cam.com/video/WNTb9_zTvcQ/w-d-xo.html
Thanks I’ll get to it soon I hope. Merry Christmas
Consider that in 1914, most Australians probably still spoke with some sort of UK derived accent. Eric Bogle wrote the song and his accent is perfectly appropriate. By the 1970’s, the Aussie accent was well developed and is perfectly expressed in Redgum’s I was only 19.
Eric Bogle from Scotland wrote and released it though…
AUSTRALIA LOST 20% of all men in world war 1
A sad time for the world & then along comes Spanish Flu
A tad annoyed at this as an Aussie who’s grandparents went to war. It’s an Australian song so why is most of what I see is Canadian.
NOT COOL I get they were there too but Waltzing Matilda is an Australian song nothing to do with any Canadian ever disrespect not cool
I didn’t make the video
No offence but Canada did not fight at Gallipoli (and not part of the ANZACs as someone else said). I have no clue why the video included the last part about Canada but its a bit insulting (As an Australian),
What is the 'C' for in ANZAC?
@@CanadianReacts Australia New Zealand Army Corp - ANZAC
@@philcarey5432 thanks
I think it was a video shown in a school in Canada so was localised for them to give the children some local context.
@@newbris thanks David
Sorry, but stopping the song and give us your opinions is distracting. It would be much better to let the song play and do subtitles. And then give us a sum up at the end.
I understand but often songs then get blocked due to copyright infringement then I’m risking a copyright strike which could have the entire channel shut down. I know this can be frustrating and it is for me as well. I’d rather enjoy the entire song too. I’ve never seen a reactor channel play an entire song. Perhaps there are some but unfortunately my lack of technical expertise is a hindrance to me.
@@CanadianReacts Didn't realize that! Thanks for answering that conundrum.
@@DianaMoon11428 thanks for watching
Too much talk and interruptions.
Thanks
It’s pretty rich hearing “kids today only care about the new iPhone and social media” coming from a 60 year old TH-camr who makes reaction videos.
Especially since I make pennies & I’m not 60, funny eh?
The Canadians were part of the ANZACS - Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Cool
+Michael Webster my great granddad was actually welsh and is believed to be buried in France
ANZAC, Australian New Zealand Army Corps, Canada wasn't involved as part of the ANZAC, although some Brits, Indians and others were at times
This is not true, ANZACS were from Australia and New Zealand exclusively. But they did fight side by side Canandian regiments and army on the Western front and other WW1 battles.
Whoops, obviously I'm wrong.
Check out the version of this great song by The Pogues
I actually found out about the Bogle version after reacting to the Pogues version. It has over 50,000 views now!