We didn't ask 'what for?'

Old mate,

we didn't ask 'what for!'

we just charged in loyally

to fight their 'bloody war.'

we were full of fire and grit

when we marched in to fight,

we didn't ask 'what for,' old mate, 

we both just  yelled 'ALRIGHT!'

The passion of our county burned

for friends who felt war's blow,

so when they needed help from us,

we raised our hands to go,

and though our loved ones cringed in fear,

we never paused to stay,

we were just like heroes mate,

as we both marched... away.

And neither of us wondered

' IF there was ANOTHER way?'

Who were we to question them

(those LEADERS of the day?)

But old mate,

looking back upon your distant grave;

I have to wonder at the cost

so many young men paid.

We didn't ask for 'other ways'

when they asked us 'to fight'

and now

I'm having nightmares of

that battle...every night.

My mates around me blown to bits

they're in my memory,

along with parent's faces filled

with tears

for me

to see.

We went in unquestioning

and stormed Gallipoli,

and now the war I'm fighting is

the one
 
inside of me.

I didn't ask 'what for' old mate,

and I returned alone,

perhaps I should

have asked it mate?

(if only I had known.)

That place they sent us to was wrong

(a bungle at its worst,)

like 'lambs to slaughter' lives were gone,

with you, one of the first.

Its Anzac day and I am old

but still I try to march,

no one sees you with me mate

as I hobble past,

but a day has not gone by

that we've been apart,

because I've kept you with me mate,

right here INSIDE my heart.

I 'was lucky' (so they say,)

I survived that war,

but every day since you were killed,

old mate,

I've asked...'what for?'

I survived to battle on

beyond that Turkish shore

I'm alive but you are gone

and  now...THAT is MY war.

I'm standing here at sunrise Mate

on one more Anzac morn,

I listen to a bugle

and through tears see medals worn,

I glimpse the wide-eyed children

as they WONDER at our WAR...

then I feel it mate...the answer:

It was THEM we did it FOR.