Aussie here! I just stumbled across this poem while doing some reading on world war 1, was an interesting read, kinda touching in a way. A look at the beginnings of an alliance that’s still going strong today.

FROM AUSSIE TO SAMMY

Say, how do, old cobber, give us yer mit!

Pleased to meet you I certainly am.

We can now pull together in doing our bit,

Said the Aussies to proud Uncle Sam.

We've both got some stars on our banners, you know,

And I guess that our blood's the same hue,

And the old Southern Cross shining under below

Sends a warm greeting ray out to you.

We are absolute glad that you've joined in the fray,

And have jerried to Fritz's true light.

You can rest quite assured- on the odds I will lay-

Now he's up against something to fight.

We've seen lots of scrapping these three years or more,

And we've stoushed him- yes time after time-

And with your mighty help I guess he'll feel sore

When he's knocked back to hell o'er the Rhine.

So when you hop over the trenches with us,

Pay no heed to his "Kamerad" mania,

But get into him with yer bayonet, the cuss,

And remember the sunk "Lusitania!"

You can never forgive such a treacherous hound-

Giving that name insults any dog-

And a ripe lasting friendship square dinkum we'll found

When we've passed through the war's grimy fog.

• John T. Barrat