Remember Changi

In the shadow of Singapore's fall a prison camp rose, a fortress tall Fourteen thousand Aussies and more Marched through its unforgiving door February 1942, a bitter day When freedom was snatched away

A world apart Holding soldiers, brave of heart Through disease and despair they fought Their spirit unbroken, unbought

Sickness weakened their stride Malaria burned them from inside Dysentery, a relentless foe Still they endured, high and low Rations sparse, hope running thin Yet brotherhood helped them win

Days stretched into months, then years Laughter rare, but not their tears Letters from home, so few and far Kept alive their inner star Some worked on the railway line Their sweat and blood the only sign

In the depths of their despair They found strength beyond compare Art and music filled their days Defiant in creative ways

September 5th, 1945 Liberation day arrived Freedom's dawn broke through the haze Ending three long years of days Survivors weak but standing tall this chapter, closed for all

Remember the prisoners, lest we forget The price of freedom, the hero's debt In Singapore's history, a solemn page Of resilience in war's cruel cage