LAST TO LEAVE
ANALYSIS AND VIDEOS ON MULTIPLE SONGS/ EVENTS RELATING TO GALLIPOLI
LAST TO LEAVE
The Last to Leave - Explain and interpret the text.
The Last To Leave
The guns were silent, and the silent hills
had bowed their grasses to a gentle breeze
I gazed upon the vales and on the rills,
And whispered, "What of these?' and "What of these?
These long forgotten dead with sunken graves,
Some crossless, with unwritten memories
Their only mourners are the moaning waves,
Their only minstrels are the singing trees
And thus I mused and sorrowed wistfully
I watched the place where they had scaled the height,
The height whereon they bled so bitterly
Throughout each day and through each blistered night
I sat there long, and listened - all things listened too
I heard the epics of a thousand trees,
A thousand waves I heard; and then I knew
The waves were very old, the trees were wise:
The dead would be remembered evermore-
The valiant dead that gazed upon the skies,
And slept in great battalions by the shore.
What is the song saying? Write a paragraph to explain the song.
The song is about a man who has visited an area in which a battle (during the war), took place, at which many lives had been lost. Throughout the poem the protagonist’s identity is never revealed but it can be assumed that he was a soldier who had fought in the war (possibly the battle that is stated in this poem/song). It follows the man (or soldier) whilst he is reflecting on the courageous actions of these men and their dreadful fates they would eventually meet. In the beginning it describes how serene the area looks now, in contrast to how it had been when bullets and shells would have ripped into the earth, and red would have coated the once pristine green. It then follows to mention the forgotten soldiers, who had all fought courageously, their efforts soon to be extinguished, by the fatal blows delivered from the enemy lines. He talks about how many of their efforts and stories had been forgotten over time, their corpses buried underground (some unmarked “Some crossless, with unwritten memories”) and those who had once mourned them no longer did so. He then continues to mention the environment, the only company, and grievers, for these lonely men. It then describes the courageous actions of the soldiers and the protagonist appears to be imagining these events. It also talks about the fatalities these men experienced, casualties and deaths. It continues to talk about the existence of the environment with the corpses surrounding the area (or more specifically underneath), which would be there forevermore to remember the events of the tragic battle. This song highlights the courage of the men, but also mentions how they do not always receive the recognition they deserve. The song is about recognizing the valiant efforts of those who are sent into war, and the respect that they deserve, displayed by the protagonist in the song. These men sacrificed their lives for our way of life, and they deserve a lot of respect for their actions.
SOng Analysis - the band played waltzing matilda
LAST TO lEAVE video
Song- the band played Waltzing Matilda
What is the song saying? Write a paragraph to explain the song.
​
Now when I was a young man, I carried me pack, and I lived the free life of a rover
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback, well, I waltzed my Matilda all over.
Then in 1915, my country said son, It's time you stopped rambling, there's work to be done.
So they gave me a tin hat, and they gave me a gun, and they marched me away to the war.
And the band played Waltzing Matilda, as the ship pulled away from the quay
And amidst all the cheers, the flag-waving and tears, we sailed off for Gallipoli
And how well I remember that terrible day, how our blood stained the sand and the water
And of how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay, we were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.
Johnny Turk he was waiting, he'd primed himself well. He shower'd us with bullets,
And he rained us with shell. And in five minutes flat, he'd blown us all to hell
Nearly blew us right back to Australia.
But the band played Waltzing Matilda, when we stopped to bury our slain.
We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs, then we started all over again.
And those that were left, well we tried to survive, in that mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks, I kept myself alive, though around me the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over head, and when I woke up in my hospital bed,
And saw what it had done, well I wished I was dead. Never knew there was worse things than dyin'.
For I'll go no more waltzing Matilda, all around the green bush far and free
To hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs-no more waltzing Matilda for me.
So they gathered the crippled, the wounded, the maimed, and they shipped us back home to Australia.
The legless, the armless, the blind, the insane, those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay, I looked at the place where me legs used to be.
And thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me, to grieve, to mourn, and to pity.
But the band played Waltzing Matilda, as they carried us down the gangway.
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared, then they turned all their faces away
And so now every April, I sit on me porch, and I watch the parades pass before me.
And I see my old comrades, how proudly they march, reviving old dreams of past glories
And the old men march slowly, old bones stiff and sore. They're tired old heroes from a forgotten war
And the young people ask, what are they marching for? And I ask myself the same question.
But the band plays Waltzing Matilda, and the old men still answer the call,
But as year follows year, more old men disappear. Someday no one will march there at all.
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by that billabong, who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
What is the song saying? Write a paragraph to explain the song.
The song is written as story (of many) of a soldier that was sent to Gallipoli, to fight through the bloodshed and hardships. The song begins with him explaining his carefree life, wandering and exploring the vast expanses of land in the outback. It then follows with the line “Then in 1915, my country said son, it’s time you stopped rambling, there's work to be done.” This is meant to imply that after WWI had encircled the globe, he was required to fight for his country, and give up his untroubled life, for one that would lead to pain and sorrow (later in the song). So he was sent off to war, to fight in one of the most catastrophic battles/ military strategy attempts in history, although they didn’t know that. It continues to talk/ sing about the journey to Gallipoli, and the sendoff of those saying goodbye to their loved ones. It then abruptly turns to talk about what they encountered at Gallipoli, and how the Turks slaughtered them on their arrival at ANZAC Cove. It also talks about how well prepared the Turks had been as compared to their unplanned landing and attempt at fighting, how strategically they had combatted those fighting for the ANZAC’s. It describes how they were all inevitably being shot at, and most of them were likely to lose their lives in the hopeless battle against the Turks.
Following this, it explains the time, which was most likely night, that they had do bury their fellow soldiers (on both sides), and the next day would continue to battle. They then continued to repeat what they had for days on end, fight the enemy and try to survive through the looming threat of death, and around them more and more of their companions were slaughtered. He then continues to sing about his own struggle. After 10 weeks of repeating this “routine,” trying to stay alive, until a Turkish shell almost killed him. After waking up in a hospital [bed], he saw the damage it had caused, which appeared to be worse than dying (to be discovered further in the song.) In the next paragraph, it explains what happened after the accident – after both his legs had been blown off by the shell. They were then sent back to Australia, unable to continue the fight, in no fit state to stay at Gallipoli. The song then continues to talk about his arrival in Australia, how he had no loved ones there to greet him, and to see the terrible result of his involvement at Gallipoli. It also continues on about those waiting at the dock, where they were arriving. None of them delighted to see these men who had been sent back, unable to finish their “job”
It also portrays the future, years even decades on from the Gallipoli campaign. AS he watches those marching in the ANZAC marches, he remembers the year in which he fought and all those that had lost their lives around him. He watches his fellow comrades march proudly, reflecting and remembering their efforts, although many were unaware of what they had done. As well as this, it also talks about attending the services, unaware of the reason that they are here, and what they are commemorating. The protagonist in the song is said to be thinking the same thing, wondering why they are reflecting on such a hopeless time, on the thousands of deaths that occurred at ANZAC Cove. The last paragraph reflects the same thing, that many of the soldiers who had fought at Gallipoli continue to march at yearly services, although more and more are not attending, whether it be for the same reason as him or their death. Throughout the song, the words “Waltzing Matilda” as well as lyrics from the song are included, which reflects the meaning of the song, as it is one that is commonly associated with ANZAC and the campaign at Gallipoli.
This song is a perfect reflection and includes a detailed explanation as to what occurred during Gallipoli. It sings about the hardships they faced and some of the horrific injuries and deaths throughout the war. It explains how thousands of people died fighting valiantly and also about how many of them had to be evacuated, as a result of the enemy fire from the Turks. This song is a great example of the horrific battle/ battles at Gallipoli, and enlightens the audience as to what happened at Gallipoli, in a simple creative format.
Partner Batlle video - GALLIPOLI
Cricket game at Gallipoli
What is the video clip saying? Write a paragraph to explain the significance.
The video sends a powerful and enlightening message about the relation between the soldiers who had fought at Gallipoli and those who play for Australia, in both cricket and other sporting games. Two of Australia’s greatest cricketers, Michael Clarke and Rick Ponting, explain the similarities between the two, as well as the importance of both. The video [they] state how they both share many qualities. Although they are both at different extents, the ANZAC’s a lot more severe than the athletes, they both show similarities. Not only with cricket, but with many games, the players must display determination and courage. The attitude that the ANZAC soldiers had presented was incredible. They did not surrender in the face of death (as well as failure), and continued to fight through the turmoil and hardship. They also were extremely courageous and valiant whilst fighting at Gallipoli. These cricket players show a similar attitude whilst playing their sport, an equal level of courage and determination. Even if a game looks like it is destined to fail, or end in terrible loss for the team, they (the cricket players) continue to play as hard as they can, right to the end of the game, displaying courage and resilience. These traits are all the same as those seen in the soldiers at Gallipoli. As well as this, the soldiers in WWI showed great mateship and developed many great friendships during the terrible situation at Gallipoli. They continued to assist each other whilst being shot at, and also stayed by each other’s side until death. They assisted them when they were injured, and in this, formed many friendships, and displayed mateship throughout the battles, which is now commonly associated with Australia, becoming part of our national identity. This is also similar to the cricket/ Australian sport players. They continue to rely on each other and display great gestures of mateship and teamwork. In the video they talk about “being in the trenches” and always being able to turn to your mates, and how they drew that from the ANZAC’s that they had followed in the footsteps of. It also refers to an image of the ANZAC’s playing a game of cricket during the war. This image displayed Australia’s attributes, but also acted as another example of inspiration for the players, that they should continue to have a positive attitude no matter the situation, evident in this as it shows how they had continued to have an easygoing spirit whilst at war. It also talks about how the players have honored and respected these soldiers, as they had visited the place and reflected on these soldiers, and their incredible and valiant efforts. The actions of the ANZAC soldier’s kind of act as a guide for these cricket players. Their displays of courage, determination, resilience and mateship all inspiration for those playing for Australia, to prove Australia’s ability as a nation and out capability to work together as a team.