ANZAC Poem

On the Shores of Milne Bay (1942)

On the shores of Milne Bay
Where the jungle rolls down to the sea.
On the shores of Milne Bay
I’ve been bit on the navel, the arms, and the chest,
I’ve been bit in the places girls like the best.
On the shores of Milne Bay,
Where the jungle rolls down to the sea.

On the shores of Milne Bay,
Where the girls wear string and grass skirts.
But you’re not in the race, if they see you first.
So all wives and sweethearts will be pleased to know,
That its not hard for soldiers to keep self control.
On the shores of Milne Bay,
Where the jungle rolls down to the sea.

On the shores of Milne Bay,
Fair Dinkum I’ve never felt worse.
I’ve had every complaint,
From distemper, to dying thirst.
But I don’t go to the M.O. for fear he will say,
“Get on the Manunda”, she’s leaving today.
From the shores of Milne Bay,
Where the jungle rolls down to the sea.

On the shores of Milne Bay,
For six months we’ve never seen beer.
But we all brew our own,
One charge and you’ll stand on your ear.
This jungle juice acts like a time bomb they say,
You drink it at night and explode the next day.
On the shored of Milne Bay,
Where the jungle rolls down to the sea.

On the shores of Milne Bay,
Where we long for the bright city lights and a day on a spree,
Or a good sort of cuddle at night.
I wish woman would cover themselves up round here,
For each time I see them it makes me all queer.
On the shores of Milne Bay,
Where the jungle rolls down to the sea.

This poem was written by an unknown soldier and sung by the soldiers while on duty at Milne Bay in New Guinea.

Peter 0418 774 663
peter@petercampbellrealty.com