rewrite - THE COLOURED DIGGERS MARCH

[Maureen K Clifford]

I was listening to a program on 98.9 FM a few years ago and they were talking about the Coloured Diggers March that was held on Anzac Day the first march being held in 2007. A march purely for the Aboriginal and Torres Straits Diggers, because they were not allowed to march in 'OUR' Anzac Day processions in their rightful places, but were always relegated to the back of the procession.
The fact that we as Australians allowed that to happen got up my nose and as a result I wrote The Coloured Diggers March.

I originally wrote this in 2009 but have reworded it and reworked it.




The Coloured Diggers March


They had fought on many fronts and had served in every war
fighting beside mates, some white -some were black.
They had fought just as fiercely and had died bravely as well;
old attitudes still there when they came back.
So can you tell me why men who were quite prepared to die,
with life blood flowing red, as it was spilled.
Why were they at the back, was it because their skin was black?
Does Anzac Day not honour all men killed?

Their pay was two thirds less than what their white brothers received
but blood from wounds received, same shade of red.
They all wore the same uniform, fought beneath the same flag.
When shot and killed were both equally dead.
Some lie in unmarked graves, with no carved headstone on their tombs.
Their names appear upon no memory wall.
The wars have ended, they've returned once more to their country,
to communities where nothing’s changed at all.

And some whilst overseas, fighting for king and their country
returned to find children had been taken.
The money paid to each and every Aussie fighting man
was never issued. Their loved ones forsaken.
No soldier’s settlement blocks at all were granted to these men.
No membership to local RSL.
At Anzac day processions they were put right at the back.
Hardly a country treating heroes well.

He’s fought bravely in every war from Boer to Iraq,
he’s just a soldier watching his mates back
at Paaschendale and Villiers, the deserts of Sinai
and in the thick of Vietnam's attack.
And no one ever said, you can't fight with us mate you’re black.
For none there saw the colour of his skin
as of importance – it was not the measure of the man.
To soldiers all are brothers, all are kin.

But this year they proudly marched and all took their rightful place.
The coloured diggers march has come to stay.
Harry served pies and peas for free down at Woolloomooloo.
A feed to chase the men’s hunger away.
At long last one man showed respect - a nation’s Sorry day
gave apology- gracefully received.
Two little words that meant so much to many such as these
hopefully are the healing words they need.

Once more they marched together in the coloured diggers march.
No longer relegated to the back.
They held their line and proudly strode out, each with head held high,
together headed out on the attack.
The ranks were formed from brothers marching, all who knew their song
Above fluttered two flags, for which men died.
On one the Southern Cross – the flag that our men fought beneath.
The other black, red, yellow. Side by side.

Maureen Clifford ©

http://www.creativespirits.info/aborigi ... march.html

[Robyn]

Lovely sentiments Maureen.


I particularly like but blood from wounds received, same shade of red
I struggled a little with the metre in the first verse... it seems (to me) to flow much better in the last verse.
Cheers
Robyn

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks Robyn - I think it is going to be a work in progress as I am still not 100% happy with it although I think it's close.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Cheers

Maureen