The Owen-Stanley Track
Howarde Tilse
1943
We trudge along in the rain and sludge
And there is no turning back;
Upward and onward, into the night,
Of the Owen-Stanley track.
It is a march to the end of day,
And into another dawn.
Where there will shine a day more fine,
A rosier, happier morn.
Then, at the end of the 'Stanley trail
Our faith shall stand secure,
As we gaze serene on a victory scene.
From the high hills of Papua.
The ranges will ring with laughter then,
And comrades true will turn back;
With a job well done, bright will shine the sun.
Down the Owen-Stanley track.
Written whilst on active service by Sgt. Howarde Tilse, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force (incl. Papua for the greater part of 1942)
Fire of the Southern Cross: A Collection of Poetry for Australian Nationalists
Australian Nationalism Information Database - www.ausnatinfo.angelfire.com/~natinfo
