The Anzac On The Wall
THE ANZAC ON THE WALL
Jim Brown
Loitering in a country town 'cos I had time to spare;
I went into an antique shop to see what was in there
Bikes and pumps and kero lamps, the old shop had it all
Then I was taken prisoner by the Anzac on the wall.
Such an honest open face, a young man in his prime
When I looked at that photograph your eyes locked onto mine
A face so proud and confident inside a wooden frame
I felt myself drawn to you in a way I can't explain
'That Anzac have a name?' I asked. The old man didn't know
He said, 'Those who could have told me passed on long ago'
The old man kept on talking and, according to his tale
The photo was unwanted junk bought at a clearance sale
'I asked around, 'the old man said,' but no one knew his face
He's been up on the wall for years, deserves a better place
Someone must have loved him, it seems a shame somehow
I nodded and said quietly, "Oh well, I'll take him now'
So you can come home with me mate - too long you'd been alone
I don't even know your name mate, but you're welcome in my home
Did you fight at Flanders, or perhaps Gallipoli?
I'll never know the answer, but I know you fought for me
I wonder where they sent you mate, when you answered the call
Were you killed inaction? Did you come home at all?
You must have had a family – will you be claimed one day?
To be honest, I hope not mate – ‘cos I'm proud to have you stay
Sometimes visitors look at you and then they question me
And I tell a little white lie and claim you're family
They say,” You must be proud of him.' I tell them one and all
That that's why you've got a pride of place - the Anzac on the wall
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