Jessie Pope
We know that you’re sportsmen, with reason,
At footer and cricket you’re crack;
I haven’t forgotten the season
When we curled up before the “All Blacks.”
In the matter of wielding the “willow,”
We own, to our cost, that you’re it,
The “ashes” you’ve borne o’er the billow—
Though they’re home again now, for a bit.
There are weightier matters to settle
To-day, amid bullets and shells;
And the world stands amazed at the mettle
You’ve shown in the farDardanelles.
The marvellous feat of your landing
Your exploits by field and by deed,
Your charges that brooked no withstanding,
Though you poured out the best of your blood.
You left your snug homesteads “down under”;
The prosperous life of your land,
And staggered the Turks with your thunder,
To give the Old Country a hand.
For dare-devil work we may book you,
You’re ready and keen to get to it.
If a job is impossible, look you,
The boys from “down under” will do it
© by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes
Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem is a tribute to the Anzac soldiers, particularly the men from Australia and New Zealand, who fought in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I. The tone is respectful and celebratory, acknowledging the soldiers’ athletic prowess in peacetime, but it swiftly shifts focus to their extraordinary valor on the battlefield. Through its blend of humor, admiration, and respect, the poem not only highlights the soldiers’ courage but also their ability to rise to the occasion when duty calls.
The first part of the poem opens with a lighthearted reference to the Anzacs’ prowess in sports, such as football (referred to as “footer”) and cricket. The speaker humorously recalls the famous rivalry between the Australian team and the “All Blacks” (New Zealand’s rugby team), as well as the Australian cricket team’s dominance over England (symbolized by “the ashes”). These references serve as a nod to the competitive spirit and skill of the Anzac soldiers, grounding their bravery in everyday achievements. However, the poem quickly shifts from this lighter tone to something far more serious, showing that there is “weightier matter” at hand.
The phrase “amid bullets and shells” immediately reminds us of the horrors of war, and the speaker emphasizes that, while the Anzacs may be champions on the sports field, they also demonstrated unmatched bravery and skill on the battlefield. The lines “The world stands amazed at the mettle / You’ve shown in the far Dardanelles” underscore the sense of awe that the rest of the world felt when watching the Anzac forces storm the beaches of Gallipoli. It is a bold acknowledgment of their courage, suggesting that the soldiers’ actions in battle were just as exceptional, if not more so, than their sporting feats.
The imagery of the soldiers’ landing at Gallipoli is vivid and dramatic, referring to the landing as a “marvellous feat” and describing the soldiers’ determination with phrases like “charges that brooked no withstanding.” The words “poured out the best of your blood” not only acknowledge the immense sacrifice made by the soldiers, but they also evoke the tragic reality of war — the bloodshed, the loss, and the suffering that accompanied their bravery.
What stands out in this poem is the juxtaposition between the soldiers’ peaceful lives “down under” and the violence they confronted. “You left your snug homesteads” serves as a reminder of the comfortable, everyday existence they left behind in Australia and New Zealand. The contrast between their peaceful life and the hellish reality of war highlights the enormity of their sacrifice. The Anzacs were not conscripts, but volunteers, driven by a sense of duty to assist the “Old Country” — Britain. The poem praises their selflessness, acknowledging that these soldiers left behind prosperity and comfort to fight for a cause larger than themselves.
In the final stanzas, the speaker offers more recognition of the Anzac soldiers’ fearlessness, describing them as “ready and keen to get to it” and reinforcing their reputation for tackling the “impossible.” The refrain “If a job is impossible, look you, / The boys from ‘down under’ will do it” echoes the unshakeable confidence and determination that defined the Anzac soldiers. The use of “look you” adds a colloquial and slightly cheeky tone to the final lines, suggesting that no challenge is too great for these soldiers, and framing them as the ultimate heroes.
The poem’s strength lies in its balance of light-heartedness and solemnity. By referencing sports and competition, it shows the soldiers as both human and heroic — ordinary men capable of extraordinary acts. The tone of admiration is clear throughout, but it doesn’t shy away from the stark realities of war. In highlighting the Anzacs’ heroism at Gallipoli, the poem underscores the complexity of war: the bravery, the sacrifice, and the unwavering resolve of the soldiers who fought in it. Ultimately, it celebrates the Anzacs not only as warriors but as men who embodied the very best qualities of courage, resilience, and duty.