'Can You Hear Australia's Heroes Marching?'
song and a
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
in war.
The marching theme of the song is especially
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).
"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
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.
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.
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.
"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
"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
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.
been
humming the tune ever since."
have to say that it is a wonderful tribute
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
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 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
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 500,000 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.
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
of Darwin)
defence of their country. Peter felt he
incredible
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.
All content on this page and on the video remains
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.