The Heart of the Aussie Digger

Have we truly understood the heart of the Aussie Digger?
Does courage under fire serve to make his story bigger?
We stand to the side and watch as the parade goes marching by
The Last Post with its soulful lilt, brings tears to the Digger's eye

His acts of selfless bravery when it came to saving a mate
And the way he kept his calm and wit, despite a fear so great
While he faced the dawn on a Turkish beach, with numbers that were few
This was the heart of the Digger, the birth of a legend strong and true

We all pay homage to him, while mourning the many lives lost
We salute him for his sacrifices offered at such great cost
The sorrow we feel, the tears we do cry, are for this man of worth
Who fought in senseless battles to protect his country of birth

The fight for right and freedom has been raging for many a year
But in the midst of blood 'n' tears, these goals have become unclear
It's left to this generation now, and those who will follow on
To honour and keep the memory alive of this land's fallen son

But let us all consider, while we celebrate "honour and glory"
That every Aussie Digger had his memories and his own story
Medals and commendations he couldn't always comprehend
For what these represented were the loss of his good friends

And though he did appreciate the handshakes, praise and thanks
He felt that he was merely a man, decorated with Cross and rank
Any pride that he deserved to feel for preserving hearth and home
Was shadowed by the grief he suffered when he came back alone