Overall analysis of Gilgandra to the sea
‘Gilgandra to the sea’ By Benjamin B Howe is a song about the events prior World War 1 involving coo-ee march from country NSW to coastal army recruitment ports, and the thoughts of the soldiers and their plans during war. A parody arises in the song, the soldiers were confidant that they would easily defeat the enemy “The Turk and Hun will settle at the bottom of the sea”. The poet makes a mockery of the enemy by relating their countries name to an animal “It was turkey here and turkey there”. The thoughts of the soldier were expressed in the poem, it would be fun and easy, and they would return in a couple of months. Their proud accomplishment would be celebrated ‘As we go marching on to victory’. These were the thought before the war began, and portrays a positive experience with a good outcome. They did not know that they where going to experience many horror things that would change them and history forever. The poem was published in the National Advocate on Thursday, October 14, 1915. The song also appeared as a broadcast, set to the tune of “marching through Georgia”. At the time the song was written/ published young men were being recruited in large numbers to fight for king and country, while embarking on an adventure and travel. This positive experience supported the Australian Governments commitment to war.