In honor of veterans everywhere...

I am a pragmatic pacifist. I know that every country, including the U.S., has a need for armed forces. It pains me that we are in Afghanistan, but I realize it's necessary, especially with the threat of the Taliban and the devastation the war has already caused. It pains me greatly that our men and women leave their families and loved ones to defend this country.

And it also pains me that when our veterans return, they are not adequately supported with medical and other needed services. In fact, some of the politicians who are most vociferously patriotic and are quickest to support the war are the least supportive of veterans when the rubber meets the road.

Our veterans need to be supported not only when they are in active service, but when they return. They need more than empty platitudes.

"And the Band Played Waltzing Mathilda," written by Eric Bogle, is a gorgeous, heart-breaking song about a young Australian soldier maimed during the Battle of Gallipoli (1915) during the First World War. I encourage you to watch this beautiful rendition by Joan Baez. The lyrics are provided below.




LYRICS:

Now when I was a young lad I carried me pack

And I lived the free life of the rover.

From the Murray's green banks, to the dusty outback

While I waltzed my Matilda all over.

Then in 1915, my country said, 'Son,

It's time you stop ramblin', there's work to be done.'

So they gave me a tin hat, and they gave me a gun,

And they marched me away to the war.

And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda,'

As the ship pulled away from the quay,

Amidst the songs and the cheers, the flag waving, and tears,

We sailed off for Gallipoli.

And how well I remember that terrible day,

How our blood stained the sand we call Suvla Bay

We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.

The big Turkish shell caught me arse over head,

And when I woke up in my hospital bed

And saw what it had done, well, I wished I was dead

Never knew there was worse things than dying.

So I'll go no more 'Waltzing Matilda,'

or through the green bush bars and wide

For to hunt and tent peg a man needs both legs,

No more 'Waltzing Matilda' for me.

They gathered the injured, the wounded, the maimed,

And they shipped us all back to Australia.

The armless, the legless, the blind, the insane,

Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla.

And as our ship sailed into Circular Quay,

I looked at the place where me legs used to be,

And thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me,

To mourn, and to grieve, and to pity.

And the band played "Waltzing Matilda"

As they wheeled us down the gangway.

And nobody cheered, they just stood and stared.

And they all turned their faces away.

And the band still plays 'Waltzing Matilda,'

And the young men still answer the call,

But as year follows year, those old men disappear

Someday, no one will march there at all.

Waltzing Mathilda, Waltzing Mathilda

Who'll come a-waltzing Mathilda with me

And their ghosts may be heard as you pass the Billabong

Who'll come a-waltzing Mathilda with me?

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