Unveiling of Anzac Memorial, Sunday July 2, 1922
They met to honour the brave young dead,
Where a noble shaft rose high!
In the quiet park – on a grassy knoll,
Remembering those who paid the toll
And showed men how to die!
The ghost of a brave young moon looked down
Through the Sabbath calm and peace!
Scarcely a whisper the silence broke –
Till, solemn and deep the great drum spoke
And gave our thoughts release.
And the grand old hymns that in war and peace
Have set men's hearts afire!
Went floating up to the listening sky!
And curious flocks of birds came by,
As if to join the choir!
As tho' our wealth of loving thoughts
Had warmed the sullen day.
God lent His sun a little space,
It touched the scene with tender grace,
And chased all gloom away.
A-near the branching eucalypts –
Line of blue hills afar!
They spoke of loyalty, honour, truth!
And back came troops of radiant youth!
Death set its gates ajar.
How oft those boyish feet had trod
These very paths along!
Had scaled Mount Coot-tha's splendid height,
Or skimmed with outspread sails of white,
The river at Toowong.
Love brought its wealth of immortelles,
Pure white, as for a bride!
But who could see, untouched, unmoved,
The Wattles from the trees they loved,
Those boyish names beside?
And like a prayer made visible
We saw with reverence there
Man's loving thoughts set firm in stone!
Ah lads! the peace you long have known
Hushed all our hearts to prayer!
Emily Bulcock (1922)