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C J Dennis - A Message: Armistice Day 1936
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I got dreamin` that a message come in some mysterious way 
From one ole pal of mine, gone West this many an` many a day, 
A bloke the name of Ginger Mick, a fightin` cove I knoo. 
(But `e`s Digger Corporal Mick Esquire, late A.I.F., to you) 
`E got `is on Gallipoli, an` sleeps there with the best, 
Not leavin` very much be`ind, excep` one small request. 
"Look after things," was all `e said, when `e was mortal `urt. 
Dead sure `is mates - that`s me an` you - would never do `im dirt. 

(Think of it in the Silence, with yer `eads bowed low: 
Do we keep the unspoke compact with the men we used to know?) 

For I dreams it in the silence of a dark Remembrance Eve; 
An` the message seems to tell me it is gettin` late to grieve. 
"But if you seem to miss us still, then get the sob-stuff o`er, 
An` think about the things wot we went an` fought a war. 
Send up a pray`r an` drop a tear an` bend a reverent knee - 
(Says Digger Corporal Ginger Mick, A.I.F., says `e) 
But is them things we fought for still the things most dear to you: 
The honor an` the glory an` the mateship that we knew?" 

(Think of it in the Silence, when the Last Post plays - 
The splendid glimpse of Truth we `ad, once, in the bitter days) 

"Grief is a passin` compliment," the message seems to say; 
But tears don`t carry on the job for men that drift away. 
We `ad small time or taste for such where guns was raisin` `ell, 
When we got busy plantin` blokes an` wishin` `em farewell. 
We blowed sad music over `em - plain Digs, or Brass `at Knuts - 
But we played a quick-step comin` back, to show we `ad the guts. 
Our speech was rough, our ways was tough - tough as our bloody game. 
Are the rough, tough, lads still honored, like when the Terror came?" 

(Think of it, in the Silence, when their spirits hover near: 
The vision and the vows that held while still the land knew fear.) 

`E`s sleepin` on Gallipoli. At least, `is bones is there: 
Bones worth a ton of livin` flesh that won`t play fair - 
Not till the Terror comes again. "An` when it does," says `e, 
If gods you`ve worshipped let you down, well, don`t blame me." 
`E`s seen a lot, an` learned a lot most like, where `e `as gone; 
An` `eaven `elp us when we meet if we ain`t carried on. 
A vulgar person, Ginger Mick, a fightin` cove I knoo - 
(But Digger Corporal Ginger Mick, if you please, to you.) 

(Think of it in the Silence; an`, if you pray, pray deep 
That all we `ave an` all we are old loyalties shall keep.
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