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.


About the author...



Peter Barnes was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1953.  His education included
the Queen Street Public Primary School, followed by five years at Ballarat Central
Technical School, and he then completed one year at the School of Mines Ballarat.
He moved to Melbourne to work in 1972.  To cut a long story short, Peter's career
eventually saw him attain the roles of general manager and creative director with
leading advertising agencies. Peter has lived and worked in the Northern Territory
and now resides in South Australia. Today, he is self-employed in sales and
advises on advertising and marketing.


The heroes song was created from his experience in visiting the Adelaide River War Cemetery (114 kms
south of Darwin) in the Northern Territory and seeing the graves of Australians who gave their lives in the
service and defence of their country.  Peter felt he should do something within his capabilities to honour
the memory of such incredible sacrifice.

There are 432 servicemen
and 63 civilians buried in the
cemetery - the civilians were
killed during Japanese
bombing raids.

Adelaide River, during World
War II, was a major military
centre for 80,000 Australian
and United States troops.

The war cemetery is also the
final resting place for 1
Canadian and 26 British
servicemen.

If you are intending to go to
the Northern Territory, take
some time to visit the
Adelaide River War Cemetery.

Peter  was particularly moved
by one plaque at the war
cemetery, which had the words
"To live in the hearts of
those we love is not to die".









There are many songs that focus on war service by Australians. Some are anti-war, lamenting the waste
of life, like Eric Bogle's 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'.   Some songs focus on a particular war or
conflict, like John Schumann's 'I Was Only 19', which focuses on the Vietnam War.  Many songs include
ANZAC, and focus on the Gallipoli campaign.

'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?' is different in many aspects.  Being timeless, it covers all wars
and conflicts Australians have served in, and those that serve today.  The song is stirring, uplifting and
memorable.

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.

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.

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.

Many schools have requested to use the song for commemorative purposes over the past 7 years. Click here
to read some of the requests.

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 see some of the websites that use or link to the song.

Click here to go to home page.

Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?

Concept, title, lyrics and copyright owner (author) of the song: Peter Barnes

Singer & music composition: Darren Mullan

Spoken words voice: David Hill

The song was produced and recorded at Quentin Eyers Music in 2001

The meaning of ANZAC Day

Remembrance Day - Remembering Australians who died in war.

Other songs by the author...

Besides 'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?', Peter has authored three songs for the Northern
Territory, 'It's Our Territory', 'This Northern Place Of Mine' and 'It's A Great Place'.  There is a new video
on YouTube with the three Territory songs together.  Click here to watch the video.

Peter also authored the song 'South Australia - It's My Home'.  Click here to watch a video of the South
Australian song and read information about the song.  The song was commissioned by the South Australian
Government.

'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.