D G A7 D
Well, old friend, here I am, I told you I'd be back
G A7 D
And as usual mate, I'm bloody late; it's 75 years down the track
G A7 D
For the last time here I stand in this familiar foreign land
G A7 D
Back with the mates I left behind, fixed forever in their time
[Verse 2]
D G A7 D
And all the ghosts, of all the boys who haunt this lonely place
G A7 D
Only one of them wears your cheery grin & your Queensland joker's face
G A7 D
But I drown in all the bloody dreams of helpless young men's dying screams
G A7 D
I feel your hand give my arm a shake & your voice say "steady, mate"
[Verse 3]
D G A7 D
And the country that you died for, mate, you would not know it now
G A7 D
The future that we dreamed of, mate, got all twisted up somehow
G A7 D
The peace that we were fighting for, the end to stupid senseless war
G A7 D
So it couldn't happen to our kids - well old mate, it did
[Verse 4]
D G A7 D
But thank you for the gift of years & the flame that brightly burned
G A7 D
For the time you bought & the lessons taught, tho' often wasted & unlearned
G A7 D
"Lest we forget" cry the multitudes, as if I ever ever could
G A7 D
So forgive an old man's tears, & thank you for the years
