Description
This is a song about the experiences of an itinerant Australian who volunteered as a soldier in the First World War, took part in the Suvla Bay landing and lost both legs in the Gallipoli campaign. It was composed and performed by Australian singer Eric Bogle, and was probably recorded in 1980.
Further information is available for this resource.
Educational value
- This asset uses a symbol of Australian patriotism, the song 'Waltzing Matilda', as a counterpoint to lyrics about sailing to Gallipoli, burying the dead at Gallipoli, being wounded, landing back in Sydney and questioning the commemoration of war in Anzac Day marches.
- It suggests the futility of war.
- It uses the phrase 'Johnny Turk' to describe the Turkish soldiers - used originally by the British as a term of contempt for an enemy they expected to defeat easily, it became a term of respect for a worthy enemy when used by the Anzac soldiers.
- It identifies the level of Turkish preparedness on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
- It provides details of the slaughter of the invading soldiers.
- It conveys the horror of a shell wound and the return to Sydney of the Gallipoli casualties.