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.


"The song was created from my experience in visiting an Australian War Cemetery and seeing the
graves of Australians who gave their lives in the service and defence of their country.   I felt I
should do something within my capabilities to honour the memory of such incredible sacrifice."
Peter Barnes (Author)

"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


"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 will
be 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.

"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

"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

"Congratulations on your very professionally presented song, 'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes
Marching?'   It is most patriotic, stirring and respectfully thought provoking."
Major General Peter Phillips AO MC (Retd)  National President of the RSL

"Thanks for your note on your song which I played the other night and got a terrific reaction.
Many of the listeners on the 28 stations to which we broadcast want to know if it can be purchased
anywhere?"
John Kerr (2UE)




You are viewing a video clip of the song on YouTube.    Click on the 'menu' button on the bottom of
the video screen if you want to embed the video on a website or send someone the url.


"Many thanks indeed for the CD, which arrived safely. We used it as a reflection, with power point
slides in the background and the words on screen as well at each Sunday Mass (6 in all - total
attendance around 1500 people).  Mass is broadcast on a Christian station across Melbourne and
Geelong, so it also received that extra coverage. We used it again yesterday at the Anzac Day Mass,
attended by around 300 veterans and their families. On all occasions it received many favorable
comments."
Fr. Kevin Dillon (Parish Priest - St. Mary of the Angels Basilica)

"I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Subiaco Football Club to thank you again for
your contribution to our ANZAC Day fixture on Saturday the 28th of April... We have received
nothing but positive remarks regarding the day and no doubt this came from your involvement by
providing the 'Can you hear Australia's heroes marching?' DVD.  We played the DVD at our
President's Function prior to the match and the crowd of 60 people were all visibly moved."
Rhys Anderton, Operations Coordinator, Subiaco Football Club   

"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

"We, the ACT TPI Association, have been asked by the Federation of the TPI Association to create
the same CD using your song for a national campaign to Federal politicians.  The Federation has
asked me to ask your permission to use your song on the national campaign.  They only intend
sending the CDs to the Federal and other local State politicians.  For your information, we have
found the CD of great benefit in informing our local politicians of just what is a TPI.   Could you
please advise if your approval is given to the Federation using your song on the CD?"
TPI - Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex Servicemen and Women

"We also heard the song here in Kimbe, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea.  I am organising a
Dusk Service here to commemorate ANZAC Day & would much appreciate a copy of your great
composition."
E -mail request

"I'm a German student ... I beg for your permission to use your song 'Can you hear Australia's
heroes marching?' for a project in my English lesson.  This project is about Australia.  One
optional task was to find a song about Australia.  And I looked on the internet and found your
song 'Can you hear Australia's heroes marching?', which was very emotional to me."
E-mail request

"I am bandmaster for a small R.S.L. club brass band on the central coast, and have been asked
by a Korean Digger if I could arrange "Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?" to play at
Anzac Day and other services."
E-mail request

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

Click here to go to the home page where you can download the song and 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.

Anzac Day and Remembrance Day song.