Australian War Heroes

Australian War Heroes

'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?' is a national war memorial
song and a tribute to the ANZAC spirit of mateship, courage and sacrifice.

Over 100,000 Australians have lost their lives in the service and defence of our country. Along with
their mates, they're marching once again, in the towns and cities, across our great land.

The song is timeless and honors the memory of those who have died in the service and defence of
Australia in war.

The marching theme of the song is especially powerful and supports the spirit of ANZAC Day. The
song does not glorify war or endorse conflict of any kind. The song simply highlights the sacrifice of many
Australians who died in the service and defence of our country in war.

The song has been used for commemorative purposes across Australia by schools, churches,
choirs, bands, councils, retirement homes, military services, RSL branches and ANZAC tributes at NRL
& AFL matches. The author allows the song to be used for free for commemorative purposes.

Companies and businesses have asked to use the song leading up to (or on) ANZAC Day. For
instance, stores have asked to have it played over their in-store sound system leading up to ANZAC Day.
A mining company asked to use the song for their commemorative service. The author of the song allows
the song to be used at no cost if a company or business wants to use it leading up to (or on) ANZAC Day
for commemorative purposes.

Radio stations throughout Australia have broadcast the song leading up to ANZAC Day and
Remembrance Day.

The song is also requested to be played at funerals (for veterans).

"Dale Lawther's father, Alan Dale Lawther, a WW2 veteran, passed away early in the morning on
New Years Day this year. Dale had asked if the song could be played at her Dad's funeral which I
heartedly approved. Dale was kind enough to send me photographs of her Dad and she said,
'Everyone has commented on your song, they all loved it and thought it very apt.' Dale's email
touched me deeply and I asked her if I could do a web page in memory of her Dad. You can
click here for the web page 'In memory of Alan Dale Lawther - An Australian hero'."
Peter Barnes (Author)

"I am taking a funeral tomorrow of a Vietnam Vet who died last week of cancer. The family would
like to use your song... I am asking for permission to use it at the funeral."
E-mail from a Reverend

The author of the song will create a web page with video, the same as for Alan Lawther, for other
Australians who have served Australia in war and have passed away. This includes Australians who died
in war service. You can contact the author here for information to be sent to you if you have a loved one
or family member that you want remembered in such a way. The web page will be indexed in a special
memorial section of this website here.

Many Australians who lost their lives in war weren't thinking they could save the world or defeat evil
regimes. As in the trenches of France, and the patrols in Vietnam, or on the Kokoda Track, Australians
were looking after their mates alongside them. Many Australian veterans march on ANZAC Day in memory
of their mates left behind, and the ones that have passed on before them. A recent Australian casualty of
war, SAS soldier Sergeant Matthew Locke, was more concerned about looking after his mates than fearing
for his life. Sergeant Locke, who died after being shot in the chest during a firefight with Taliban fighters in
Afghanistan, told a reporter that "looking after the blokes with you" was his key responsibility.

Click here to download the song (CD quality mp3 in full length). Don't miss this opportunity to have
your own copy of the song at no cost. To download you must right click on 'Click here' and then click on
'Save Link As...' Then choose a folder on your computer where you want the mp3 file downloaded to.

The words (lyrics) to the song have been requested to be used or read at commemorative ceremonies.
You can click here to download the words to the song (pdf file).

Sheet music can be emailed to you for no cost for commemorative ceremonies. Click here to be sent
sheet music. As well as standard sheet music, there is individual sheet music for piano, solo voice, trumpet,
electric guitar, bass guitar, choir and drum kit. NEW: Full arrangement now available. Includes all
instruments (piano, trumpet, electric guitar, bass guitar, drum kit) choir and solo voice.

"The CD was great. We put it over the P.A. system in the park on ANZAC Day and the whole town has
been humming the tune ever since."
Collie Cardiff RSL - Western Australia

"I thought the music was a modern reflection on Australia's war dead... As a Vietnam veteran I would
have to say that it is a wonderful tribute to all who have fallen."
Edmund 'Ted' Harrison

"Last Sunday, the Brisbane Broncos played the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium in a round 7 NRL
match. The match including the ceremony was shown live on Fox Sports. At 2.25pm there was a
special Anzac tribute and your wonderful song was played as the special guests, match officials and
both teams entered the stadium. They walked on in staggered starts escorted by Army service
personnel to the music and it was absolutely wonderful. They all lined up in one line and the 'toss'
was performed by an 85 yr old POW veteran. The Qld Premier with match referee and both team
captains. The Qld President of the RSL read the Ode and a Navy bugler played the Last Post. It was
a very moving few minutes and everyone loved it. You should be very proud of your song. Thanks
again for permitting us to use the song. I have played it probably 30 times over the last month. It
moves me every time, the words are reflective of our appreciation for these men & women."
Brian McGrath - Operations Manager - Brisbane Broncos Football Club

*The song was requested to be used again for the ANZAC tribute in the 2007 round 7 NRL match when the
Brisbane Broncos played Melbourne Storm. This was the third time the song has been requested to be
played by the Brisbane Broncos for their ANZAC tribute. It was also used in 2004 and 2006. The song was
used as part of the ANZAC tribute in the 2008 round 7 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the
South Sydney Rabbitohs on ANZAC Day, 25 April, at Suncorp Stadium.

"Mr Barnes, while visiting Australia last September, I had the opportunity to visit the War Memorial in
Canberra. I took numerous pictures there as well of other places I visited while in your country. I've
been putting my pictures, along with background musical tracks, up on my website as podcasts. As I
worked on the pictures of the War Memorial, I looked for appropriate music to accompany it and
found your song. I would like to know if you would give me permission to use 'Can You Hear
Australia's Heroes Marching?' as background to the pictures of the Australian War Memorial?
It would be the perfect music to underscore the pictures."
Gene Bias, Orlando, FL, USA

"The Norwegian publishing house Aschehoug is about to publish a new series of English schoolbooks
for 8-10th grade in the Norwegian market. In this new series, called Key English, we want to make use
of the song "Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching".
Joakim Botten - Aschehoug Education

Click here to read more comments regarding the song.

Click here to watch a tribute to Australians who served and died in Vietnam.

Click here to watch a video of the song relating to the Korean War.

Click here to watch a video of the song relating to the Second World War.

Click here to watch a video of the song relating to the First World War.

Click here to watch a video of the song relating to the Gallipoli Campaign.

Click here to watch a video of the song relating to the Kokoda Campaign.

Click here for Australian Army tribute (also includes links to Navy and Air Force tributes).

Click here to watch a modern day tribute to Australians who serve and have died in places like
Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world.

Peter Barnes initiated this song in 2001. He is the author (and copyright owner) of the song and he
created the concept, title and lyrics. You can contact Peter by email here

Please click here if you would like information regarding what influenced Peter in creating the song.

Since being created 7 years ago, the song continues to increase in popularity and approximately 1,000
people a day view videos relating to the song on YouTube alone. There are few uniquely modern day
Australian commemorative songs you can use for free, if any at all. With this song you can access a
CD quality mp3 file of the song in full length for free. You can ask for sheet music to be emailed to
you to be used for commemorative purposes for free. You can access the lyrics for free.

The meaning of ANZAC DAY

'Can you hear Australia's heroes marching?' © Peter Barnes 2001 - 2008. All Rights Reserved. All content on this page and on the
video remains the property of the respective copyright holders. The song may not be used for any commercial purposes whatsoever.
Peter also holds copyright for 'Can you hear our heroes marching?'. Any change of the name of a country, for instance, inserting
'America's', instead of 'Australia's' in the the song is in violation of copyright.

All material published on this page is protected by copyright law. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research,
criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or reused for any commercial purposes
whatsoever.

*Disclaimer - This song has been produced by Mr Peter Barnes with funding support from the Federal Government's Their Service -
Our Heritage program. .The Commonwealth of Australia has not been involved with any part of the production of the song,
including lyrics, and disclaims any responsibility whatsoever. Mr Barnes shall be solely responsible for the song and its content.

Australian war hero. WW1.