2/29th Battalion A.I.F Marching Song

The 2/29th Battalion A.I.F. marching song was composed by Padre A.R.Macneil during the Unit's pre-embarkation training at Bonegilla. The words were written following the Unit band's first concert, after playing a popular song of the time "Sussex by the sea".

As can be seen below, there are a number of known versions of the song.

The following version includes additions (in italics) from the Battalion's time at Changi

Chorus

The good old Second Twenty Ninth
Good old Second Twenty Ninth
Like the Rising Sun we are 'second to none'
The Second Twenty Ninth

Whether it's Japs or Germans
We'll never give an inch
We'll be the modern Anzacs
Good fighters in a pinch
Though we may strike it good or bad
Yet you can bet your like
We can take it all
And will beat them all
The Second Twenty Ninth

Chorus

The good old Second Twenty Ninth
Good old Second Twenty Ninth
Like the Rising Sun we are 'second to none
The Second Twenty Ninth

Far away from Melbourne
Now far across the foam
That's where out hearts are burning
Back to our home sweet home
And when this bloody war is won
We'll go back there too right
Where our dear ones call
We shall greet them all
The Second Twenty Ninth

The following version was sung by the men whilst marching down Swanston Street in 1985 at the ANZAC day march:

We are the boys from Melbourne; we've come a long long way
Now we've arrive in Sydney, all ready for the fray
And when we doff our uniform and return to civvy like
W will still recall that we fought for all
The 2/29th