Of all the patriotic songs of the First World War, Australia Will Be There is probably the one best known to Australians. It became the marching song of the Australian Expeditionary Forces and was used to rally the troops as they marched away from home. Australia Will Be There was written in 1915 by Walter Skipper Francis. The song quotes from Auld Lang Syne in its chorus and is often given its longer title, For Auld Land Syne - Australia Will Be There.

A Welshman by birth, Skipper Francis immigrated to Australia in 1913 due to ill-health. He was, however, very athletic, excelling at a number of sports and swam the Bristol Channel in 1912. Written in 1915, Australia Will Be There was immensely popular. The song celebrates the nation's freedom and declares Australia's commitment to fight. It references the defeat of the German light cruiser SMS Emden by HMAS Sydney on 9 November 1914.

Australia Will Be There - lyrics

There are lots and lots of arguments
Going on today
As to whether dear old England
Should be brought into the fray
But all right thinking people
Know well we had to fight
For the Kaiser's funny business
It wants some putting right.
Rally 'round the banner of your country
Take the field with brothers o'er the foam
On land or sea
Wherever you be
Keep your eye on Germany
But England, home and beauty
Have no cause to fear
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
No, no, no, no, no!
Australia will be there
Australia will be there
You have heard about the Emden ship
Cruising all around
She was sinking British merchant men
Where'er they could be found
But one fine morning early
The Sydney hove in sight
She trained her guns upon them
And the German said 'goodnight'
Rally 'round the banner of your country
Take the field with brothers o'er the foam
On land or sea
Wherever you be
Keep your eye on Germany
But England, home and beauty
Have no cause to fear
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
No, no, no, no, no!
Australia will be there
Australia will be there

CREDITS

Performer Stanley Read Composer Walter W 'Skipper' Francis Recording company Rexophone, 6000 (UK)