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A lucky rat

from Bearing (2016) by Bearing

supported by
Ken Espenschied
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lyrics

Back in June 1940 so history books say
a young suburban fellow named Ronald Wade
raised up his hand and enlisted his name
to fight the good fight of the day
the battalion moved north training next on the course
Wangaratta proud to call them their own
and they moved on together .. to camp Bonegilla
while the Strathmore was waiting at bay

The battalion embarked and sailed off on their way
bound for Tobruk, Guinea and El Alemain
and the souls of these brave men were never the same
as they carried the wounded and slain
and as shells pounded down with death felt all around
young Ronald's demeanour retained
and with drinks all around those boys painted the town
just to celebrate waking that day

And the rats wouldn't stray they kept fighting
and their spirits march on to this day
with the enemy scared every rat was prepared
to lay his life down for a mate

The men charged on forward as battlefields raged
Rommel was stunned as they dug in again
they fought side by side but their fate was unchanged
their chances were slipping away
and the enemy's tanks blew but one man to hell
our mate Rover never would tell
the story of how he survived on that day
as he watched eight comrades as they fell

And the feeling of being marched into that camp
was like being dragged down to hell
with a last swing of faith Ronald's chains were replaced
with a gruelling crawl to friendly faces
with a keener forehand and fine rhythm this man
made his way back to his homeland
though the telegram said our mate Rover was dead
here stood that tough little bastard

Cross the sea .. through the war
old mate is back on our shores
things they'd seen .. fights they'd fought
Rover out-roved the war

And the rats wouldn't stray they kept fighting
and their spirits march on to this day
now the good fight was won all those brave men were sung
as the heroes that helped save Australia

credits

from Bearing (2016), released February 16, 2016
Written by Robert Wade and Bearing, performed by Bearing

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Bearing Melbourne, Australia

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