ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

WHEN THE BANDS ALL CEASE TO PLAY.
(Vic Jefferies)
Have you ever seen the veterans
parading through the street,
have you ever heard the rhythm
of their weary marching feet?

Have you ever heard the jingle
of the medals on their chest,
when the bands all cease to play,
and the pipers takes their rest?

Have you stood and watched them
as down Martin Place they come,
slowly marching to the beat
of a lonely muffled drum?

Have you ever wondered why
the flags are at half staff,
have you ever seen their faces
as they pass the cenotaph?

Have you ever caught a glimpse
of the mist that fills their eyes
as they think about old friends
no longer by their sides?

Then have you seen them raise their heads
and march as in years gone bye -
when the bands commence to play again
and the pipes their glory cry?

Here is the spirit of the Anzac
and on this hallowed day
their friends come back to join them,
but in a special sort of way;

Because for every one you see
marching down the street
there’s a thousand there beside them -
but they march on silent feet.

For friendships forged in battle
are of the rarest kind,
they extend beyond the grave
and withstand the tyranny of time.

So if you listen with your heart
come next Anzac Day
perhaps you'll understand
why they are marching on parade:

It is for that sacred moment -
that moment in the day -
when the pipers take their rest;
and the bands all cease to play.

Vic Jefferies (© 2000)

Yeah I know what you mean Vic.

That's a very touching poem Vic.

Thank you Neville and Heather. Sadly with the change to George Street, Sydney and the re-routing of the march, the marchers will never again file past the cenotaph for that sacred moment in the day.

So moving - beautiful poem Vic

Thank you Catherine, it is an old one that I bring out on Anzac Day (seems like I have a lot of "old" ones that I bring out on Anzac Day.)

First time I've read it Vic. I'm saving it so that it won't be the last.
Wazza

What ?? I didn't know that they are not to march past the Cenotaph. That's disgraceful.

Good on you Wazza, I hope you enjoy it a second time around.
Yes Neville, because of the work going on to install the light rail in George Street, Sydney, the marchers no longer march down Martin Place to pay their respects to old comrades and the fallen and then turn into George Street to march up past the Town Hall and the change is to be permanent.
Unfortunately the powers that be have overlooked the fact or don't care that the essential purpose of the march in Sydney was to allow the many thousands of veterans that sacred moment when they passed the cenotaph.
Obviously this year with the work that is going on it was necessary to re-route the march, however I remember as do many others when the march proceeded down George Street when the tram lines were there.
Yesterday was the first time in 29 years that I didn't attend the Sydney march as I saw no point in marching down Elizabeth Street and not past the cenotaph.
The RSL in a breath taking statement said that the older blokes (second world war) and those from the Korean and Vietnam Wars probably wont be happy about the change but the newer veterans wont notice!