The Wonderful Aussie Waler

When Allenby's Army smashed the Turk

Who was the bloke who did all the work

The Aussie knows and he'll tell you straight

That most of the job was done by his mate

The wonderful Aussie Waler

It was umpty-nine in the shade each day

And the wells were spoiled in the Turkish way

But with nothing to eat and plenty to do

The heart of the Waler carried him through

The wonderful, wonderful Waler

For ten long weeks through the desert hot

He plugged along and all that he got

Was a drink, or not a drink a day

But did the stamina once give way

Of the wonderful Aussie Waler?

Was he the one to desert his mate?

Just watch him coming up the straight

With twenty stone of harness and man

No wonder the Turk was an also ran

With the wonderful, wonderful Waler

When drinks were not and feeds were few

There still was his harness that he could chew

With a nibble or two at another's mane

He plucked up heart to march again

The wonderful Aussie Waler

And when everything edible seemed to be stale

A hair or two from a neighbour's tail

Makes a pleasant meal and there's no doubt

They took it turn and turn about

The wonderful, wonderful Waler

A great Australian through and through

There's a good time coming old horse for you

There's a paddock green with grass to your knees

And there you shall roll at your lordly ease

My wonderful Aussie Waler

With a gallop or two to keep you fit

And won't it bring back the thrill of it!

There 're no more hardships and little work

For the cobber who broke the heathen Turk

My wonderful, wonderful Waler

But what is that the orders tell?

This mate of mine they're going to sell

To the old home paddock you'll never come back

They are selling you as a local's hack

My wonderful, wonderful Waler

The times together that we've been through

When all that I had in the world was you

Out there! Out there in a world of men

You were more than wife or sweetheart then

My wonderful, wonderful Waler

There was trust and mateship in your eyes

A horse has no soul - All lies I All lies!

And more than a kiss or soft eyes that speak

Was your muzzling nose against my cheek

You wonderful Aussie Waler

A life long slavery is your fate

Not while a mate can still shoot straight

Your eyes - I need a steady hand -

Good bye old chap - you understand

You wonderful, wonderful Waler.