William "Molly" Malone's Life Celebrated In A Song

Click to hear "Malone Of Chunuk Bair"

Malone of Chunuk Bair

Intro instrumental A.D.A.E.A.D.A.E.A

CHORUS 1

William Malone, "Molly Malone"
Will you do what the Generals say?
Will you lead your men to hell
Place them under shell
Will you take Chunuk Bair today?

1.
Politician, farmer, lawyer, husband, father
Lieutenant Colonel William Malone by name
Led the Wellingtons, the most capital of sons
Battalion worthy of immortal fame.

2.
At the age of 56, to Gallipoli was dispatched
ANZAC Cove, April 25, 1915
A digger of some note, Commander at Quinn's Post
Respected and loved by his men

3.
Stalemate three months later, Generals in despair
Hemmed in everywhere
We'll attack at Suvla Bay, with diversions all the way
NZ Infantry Brigade take Chunuk Bair

* CHORUS ONE

4.
First Battalion to attack, Auckland led by Robert Young
From Apex to the Pinnacle (100 metres)
But in 20 minutes flat, they had lost 300 men
And were pinned down by Turkish fire.

5.
Generals told Malone, "Wellington's to go"
"No I'll not lead my men to die,
We'll attack by night not day,
And take Chunuk Bair that way
Then there'll be no suicide."

6.
Mutiny at hand, Generals gave way
Wellingtons took the top next early morn (8 August)
Held their position until relieved
Though shelled by friend and foe alike.

CHORUS 2

William Malone, Molly Malone
Didn't do what the Generals did say
But you led your men to hell
Placed them under shell
And you took Chunuk Bair your way.

7.
Now to the end of the beginning of the start
William George Malone was killed, (by shrapnel)
Only 10 percent of 700 Wellingtons
Returned unscathed

8.
Though the heights were quickly lost,
And many lives it cost
Nationhood freely flowered that day,
As soldiers of Empire, Kiwi ANZACs went to war
But returned as New Zealanders

9.
And our heroes like Malone, will never fade away
Living on in our hearts and minds forever

* CHORUS 2

CODA:

Wellington's took Chunuk Bair their way
New Zealand took Chunuk Bair….. Our Way….

ENDS