What were you thinking Aussie Jack, Aussie Jack
As you climbed down Jacob's ladder with your heavy rifle pack
Were your thoughts of King and country as they sent you to the fray
Or were they of your old bush home a half a world away?

As they said, ³Put out your smokes boys and silence all your speech
Not a word will now be spoken ˜til we land you on the beach²
Could you feel once more your younger brother's arm around your back
As he said, ³It won't be long and I will come and join you Jack²

What were you thinking Aussie Jack, Aussie Jack
As you climbed down Jacob's ladder with your heavy rifle pack
Were your thoughts of King and country as they sent you to the fray
Or were they of your old bush home a half a world away?

As the throb of diesel motors echoed loudly in your ears
Were you thinking of your family could you see your mother's tears
Could you hear old Rusty barking at the homestead far away?
It was as though he knew the cost of this first ANZAC day

What were you thinking Aussie Jack, Aussie Jack
As you climbed down Jacob's ladder with your heavy rifle pack
Were your thoughts of King and country as they sent you to the fray
Or were they of your old bush home a half a world away?

And the curlew cried an eerie song of mourning on that day
When word came through that Jack was lost upon that Turkish bay
It echoed through the gully deep and rose into the night
It didn't cease it's sad refrain ˜til the dawn of morning light

What were you thinking Aussie Jack, Aussie Jack
As you climbed down Jacob's ladder with your heavy rifle pack
Were your thoughts of King and country as they sent you to the fray
Or were they of your old bush home a half a world away?
Or were they of your old bush home a half a world away?