Born in Peebles, Scotland, and emigrating to Australia in 1969, he currently resides near Adelaide, South Australia. Written in 1972, And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is perhaps his best-known song, being a haunting evocation of the ANZAC experience fighting in the Battle of Gallipoli. It has also been interpreted as a reaction to the Vietnam War.
Bogle's songs cover a wide range of subjects, including bright comic songs, satires, protest songs and other serious considerations of the human condition. Some idea of the breadth of his work can be gained from the differing subject matter, ranging from The Aussie Bar-B-Q to a homage to Stan Rogers, entitled Safe in the Harbour. One of his most popular songs, Katie and the Dreamtime Land, is a tribute to American folksinger Kate Wolf, following her untimely death from leukemia in 1986.
In a similar vein to And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", his song, No Man's Land, refers to the old Scottish song, "Flowers of the Forest" being played over the grave of a World War I soldier. (Bogle has been known to call the song The Green Fields of France, a title it was first given by The Fureys and subsequently used by The Men They Couldn't Hang.) In 1997, British Prime Minister Tony Blair presented a Belfast girl who wrote to him about the Troubles with a framed copy of the lyrics to The Green Fields of France", calling it his favourite anti-war poem.
Other well-known songs, with lighter subject matter, include two homages to departed pets, Little Gomez" and Nobody's Moggy Now, and an acknowledgment of his folk music fans with Do You Sing Any Dylan?.
Many of his songs have been covered by other artists, particularly his anti-war songs. And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda and No Man's Land both gained fame in versions by June Tabor, The Men They Couldn't Hang and The Clancy Brothers. And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda was covered by John McDermott, Mike Harding and The Pogues, and "All the Fine Young Men" was recorded by De Dannan. Recently, the Dropkick Murphys covered "The Green Fields of France", and "Shelter" was covered by John Williamson on his album of great Australian anthems.
In 2000 a five CD collection was released called, Singing The Spirit Home. In 2006 he undertook a lengthy UK tour accompanied by long term friend and collaborator John Munro.
Future plans include recording a new CD for release in 2008.
Welcome Home
Eric Bogle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
-Eric Bogle
Now when the boys came home, Annie cried and Annie cheered
She'd been on her own for a long and lonely year
Living for his letters from far away Vietnam
And dreading the official telegram
She ached with anticipation of holding him again
And suddenly he was standing there in his crumpled uniform
In a heartbeat she was in his arms
Welcome home, boys, welcome home
Don't you know, you've been gone too long
Did you wonder, over there,
When you were tired, when you were scared,
If your country really cared, welcome home
When a nation goes to war, everyone's a casualty
Some are maimed and scarred, most have wounds you cannot see
So in place of the man that she had known,
Annie found instead, a sick and troubled stranger in her bed
But she was stubborn, she was lovin', so she stayed all through the years
The hard times and the drinking, the nightmares and the tears
For where hate is muddy quicksand, love is tempered steel
Annie waited for his wounds to heal
Welcome home, boys, welcome home
Don't you know, you've been gone too long
We're just so glad that you're alive
And only you will wonder why
You lived when others died, welcome home
So on a sunny Sydney morning, I heard old war drums beat
And watched the boys come marching, down the city street*
To claim their place in the nation's heart
That their blood and pain had earned
A nation that rejoiced in their return
And if the day helped to heal some wounds is a matter of debate
For some it had come none too soon, for others far too late
But I found myself hoping, as the boys went marching past
That for them the war was over, at last
Welcome home, boys, welcome home
Don't you know, you've been gone too long
What you went through in Vietnam, we can't begin to understand
But to each and every man, welcome home
Welcome home, boys, welcome home
Don't you know, you've been gone too long
May the years bring you release, as the memories decrease
May you find some kind of peace, welcome home
May you find some kind of peace, welcome home
***********************
NOTES:
ANZAC Day Parade. ANZAC Day is Australia's version of
Memorial Day in the US and Canada
Eric Bogle's song "Welcome Home" is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of war, and the often unspoken struggles of those who have served. The song follows the story of a soldier returning home from Vietnam, and the emotional journey of his wife as she welcomes him back.
The first verse describes the anticipation and relief of the soldier's wife, Annie, as she waits for him to return. The second verse, however, explores the challenges that the couple faced upon reuniting. Annie finds that her husband has been deeply affected by his experiences, and struggles to adjust to life back home. The song ultimately ends with a plea for peace and healing for all those who have served.
One of the central themes of "Welcome Home" is the idea that the trauma of war affects not only the soldiers themselves, but their loved ones as well. Bogle emphasizes this idea by shifting the focus back and forth between the soldier and his wife. The song also touches on the idea that war can change individuals in profound and unexpected ways, often leaving them struggling to find their place in the world again.
Overall, "Welcome Home" is a powerful and moving tribute to the struggles of those who have served their countries. Its message of compassion and understanding for those affected by war is just as relevant today as it was when the song was first released in 1982.
Line by Line Meaning
Now when the boys came home, Annie cried and Annie cheered
Annie was emotional when the soldiers returned from war
She'd been on her own for a long and lonely year
Annie had to be alone without her partner for one year
Living for his letters from far away Vietnam
Annie would anxiously wait for letters from her partner who was in Vietnam
And dreading the official telegram
Annie was scared to know if she would receive the telegram that would inform her of her partner's death
So she was waiting at the station when his train came rolling in
Annie waited at the train station for her partner's return
She ached with anticipation of holding him again
Annie was eager to hug her long-awaited partner
And suddenly he was standing there in his crumpled uniform
Annie's partner arrived with a scrunched up uniform from the long journey back home
In a heartbeat she was in his arms
Annie rushes to hug her partner as soon as she sees him
Don't you know, you've been gone too long
The soldiers have been missed and their absence has been felt for long
Did you wonder, over there,
People wonder if the soldiers were left wondering whether their country cares about them
When you were tired, when you were scared,
People wonder if the soldiers were scared and terrified while fighting
If your country really cared, welcome home
The nation does care about the soldiers' safety and welcomes them back
When a nation goes to war, everyone's a casualty
During war, both soldiers and their loved ones are affected
Some are maimed and scarred, most have wounds you cannot see
Some soldiers have physical wounds that are visible, while others have scars that are not visible
Annie found instead, a sick and troubled stranger in her bed
Annie's partner returned from war a changed person, who is now sick and troubled
But she was stubborn, she was lovin', so she stayed all through the years
Annie still loved her partner was helped to take care of him despite his condition
The hard times and the drinking, the nightmares and the tears
The partner's experiences during the war resulted in PTSD, leading to hard times, alcoholism, and nightmares
For where hate is muddy quicksand, love is tempered steel
Love is a strong force and can withstand tough times
So on a sunny Sydney morning, I heard old war drums beat
The singer hears a marching band playing on Anzac Day
And watched the boys come marching, down the city street*
The soldiers parade down the street as a part of Anzac Day celebrations
To claim their place in the nation's heart
The soldiers are being recognized for their service and their place in the nation's heart is acknowledged
That their blood and pain had earned
The soldiers suffered greatly during the war and have earned recognition and appreciation from their nation
But I found myself hoping, as the boys went marching past
The singer is hopeful for the soldiers' happiness and freedom from the memories of war
May the years bring you release, as the memories decrease
May the soldiers find peace and release from the traumatic memories of the war
May you find some kind of peace, welcome home
The nation wishes the soldiers peace as they return home
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: ERIC BOGLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bruce Laidlaw
on Aussie Bar-B-Q Song
The lyrics given here are for a different song