Australian songs and music.

Australian songs and music

'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 honours 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.

Many schools throughout Australia use this song for commemorative purpose. Click here to read some of
the comments.

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).

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
Target 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 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)

"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

"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.

"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

"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 Kokoda Track.

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

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.

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

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 or phone him on 0418 82 7756.

NEW: The song now has its own domain at http://www.australianwarheroes.com Since being created
7 years ago, the song continues to increase in popularity and millions of people have heard the song.

Over 1,000 people a day view videos relating to the song on YouTube alone. Peter's YouTube channel
has passed 475,000 video views, with most viewing videos relating to the song. Click here to go to the
YouTube channel.

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.

'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

Other Australian songs by the author...

It's Our Territory

A song for the Northern Territory. Arguably, the most compelling anthemic song yet recorded for the
Northern Territory. You don't have to be a Territorian to enjoy this song as its power, feeling, and sound, is
appreciated by people across Australia and around the world.

"Why isn't this the advert for the N.T. ...wow... what a great song."
Comment on YouTube

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 with the three Territory songs.

The South Australian Government liked the Territory songs so much it gave Peter the opportunity to author
a state song for South Australia (see below). In a sense, that indicates how good these songs are, and
especially 'It's Our Territory'.

South Australia - It's My Home

A state song commissioned by the South Australian Government.

On November 3, 2001, the Public Primary Schools Music Festival Choir sung the song at the swearing-in
ceremony of South Australia's new Governor, Her Excellency Mrs Marjorie Jackson- Nelson AC CVO MBE.

"'South Australia - It's My Home' is a wonderful song."
Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC CVO MBE
Governor of South Australia

Performances of this state song to date include South Australian Government functions and community
presentations, Davis Cup Tie against Germany, Showdown matches between the Adelaide Crows and Port
Power, Olympic Flame arrival celebrations in Adelaide, and International World Environment Day.

More than ten thousand young South Australians learnt the song when it was included in the ‘Song Book’
for State Public Primary Schools in 2001. The song was sung during the State Public Primary School Festival
of Music at the Adelaide Festival Centre in August 2001.

The song has also been broadcast on radio stations in Adelaide and country regions of South Australia,
including South Australia Day.

The song was broadcast on television to millions of people worldwide at the 2000 Olympic soccer
games at Hindmarsh Stadium.