Poem - Leslie George Rub

A farewell glass

By Leslie George Rub

Tonight I am drinking a farewell glass

To the days that used to be

And I’ll say goodbye at the break of dawn

To the land that is dear to me.

For I’ve one suit that a soldier wears

My knapsack’s packed and so

Just wish me luck in a glass of ale

Old pals before I go.

Just wish me luck and we’ll pledge the names

Of the absentee

Who’s doing his bit for freedom’s sake

In old Gallipoli.

Who’s doing his bit with a naked sword

That ne’er shall be sheathed again

Till we’ve shown the foe that no Austral son

E’er bled in vain.

So fill ‘em again for the last old time

Don’t mind what the wowsers say

And a long goodbye to Drayton town

We sail at the break of day.