Capo 1st fret

Standard (EADGBE)

Verse 1

August in Mildura, and winters on the run,

there?s an early taste of springtime, in the warm mid-morning sun.

As the men marched past from first to last, the crowds cheer everyone,

and war seems somehow very far away, on this sunny dedication day.

They marched to a memorial, built by and for their own,

a simple wall of remembrance of brick and steel and stone.

With the names inscribed of those that died and to those that had made it home,

with a debt of love and honor to repay, had all gathered there on dedication day.

Chorus

It?s dedication day,

It?s dedication day.

Verse 2

There was a concert held that evening me and others sang our songs,

while the boys drank beer and reminisced, laughed and clapped and sang along.

As I was standing there with my guitar, just waiting to go on,

a man grabbed my arm and said please would you play a, song for my mate Hans this dedication day.

Verse 3

He asked me to sing welcome home, and I saw tears in his eyes,

I knew there was a story there, but I did not want to pry.

And then he said to me, I want that song you see, for this morning my mate died,

faced with his grief there was nothing I could say, so I sang for Hans on dedication day.

Chorus

It?s dedication day

It?s dedication day

(Piano solo)

Verse 4

They say that Hans took his own life, but I don?t know if that?s true,

but if it is that?s no surprise, too many Vietnam vetrans do.

Only those who were there, can know the despair and the pain that he went through,

for who can understand it more than they, those who knew the cost of dedication day

Verse 5

Though that Asian wars long over, there still burying their dead

yet somehow the bond grows stronger, with each broken thread

What poison stole and two hands sold to taint the years ahead

In that war so long ago and far away until they died of wounds on dedication day.

Chorus

It's dedication day

It's dedication day

(Repeat until fade out)