Music is an important part of a commemorative ceremony or service. Music can create strong feelings and memories. You can play this music on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and other important days. We do this to recognise and remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving personnel.
Music to play at commemorations
If you can't find a band or musician to perform at your event, it's fine to play music through an audio-visual (AV) media system or speakers.
If you need help to plan an event, see our suggested order of service.
You can download this information about music as part of our kitbags:
Service playlists on Spotify
We've created 3 playlists on the Spotify music streaming service to help you commemorate – 2 for Anzac Day and another for Remembrance Day
Anzac Day Commemorative Service
- O Valiant Hearts
- Abide with Me
- O God Our Help in Ages Past
- Ode of Remembrance
- The Last Post
- Silence 1 minute
- The Rouse
- Advance Australia Fair
Listen to the Anzac Day Commemorative Service.
Anzac Day Dawn Service
- O Valiant Hearts
- Abide with Me
- O God Our Help in Ages Past
- Ode of Remembrance
- The Last Post
- Silence 1 minute
- Reveille
- Advance Australia Fair
Listen to the Anzac Day Dawn Service.
Remembrance Day Service
Music suitable for a public announcement or service, where The Last Post and The Rouse are played.
- O Valiant Hearts
- Abide with Me
- O God Our Help in Ages Past
- In Flanders Fields
- Ode of Remembrance
- The Last Post
- Silence 1 minute
- The Rouse
- Advance Australia Fair
Listen to the Remembrance Day Service playlist.
Bugle calls
Play or download the mp3 files, courtesy of the Band of the Royal Military College.
The Last Post
The Last Post is a bugle call played before the period of silence at a commemorative service.
The Last Post mp3 1.1MB (1 minute 32 seconds)
The Rouse
The Rouse is a bugle call that is played after the period of silence at a ceremony that is not held at dawn. During The Rouse, the flags are slowly raised to the masthead.
Historically, The Rouse was played after Reveille to get soldiers out of their beds. The use of The Rouse in a ceremony implies hope for a day when the living and the dead will rise together.
The Rouse mp3 383KB (31 seconds)
Reveille
At a dawn service on Anzac Day, Reveille is played on a bugle or trumpet and signals the end of the period of silence. While the bugle is played, the flags are slowly raised to the masthead.
Historically, Reveille was played to wake up sleeping soldiers on the battlefield. Today, Reveille is played as the first call of the day in army barracks.
Reveille mp3 961KB (1 minute 1 second)
In Flanders Fields
The popular wartime poem In Flanders Fields by Canadian veteran John McCrae led to the red poppy becoming a symbol of commemoration. Listen to the words of the poem set to music.
In Flanders Fields song and music video
Hymns
O Valiant Hearts
A hymn of remembrance inspired by a poem published after World War I to commemorate those who died.
O Valiant Hearts - 3 verses mp3 2.3MB (2 minutes 51 seconds)
Abide with Me
A hymn that asks for God to remain by your side throughout life and death.
Abide with Me - 4 verses mp3 2.6MB (2 minutes 37 seconds)
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
A hymn that asks God for protection during life and after death.
O God, Our Help in Ages Past - 3 verses mp3 1.3MB (1 minute 47 seconds)
Lament
A piper, band or vocalist can play a musical lament when the wreath laying begins. A lament is an expression of sorrow or grief that can be delivered through music or poetry.
Popular choices for pipers include Dido's Lament, Flowers of the Forest and Hector the Hero. If a piper is not available, you could choose to play a classical piece or hymn, such as Amazing Grace.
National anthems
When the Australian National Anthem is played in conjunction with the national anthem of a foreign country, the foreign country's national anthem is always played first.
Australian National Anthem
Advance Australia Fair - 2021 version mp3 876MB (56 seconds)
You can download the lyrics for the anthem as part of our kitbags:
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet provides many free instrumental and vocal recordings of the Australian National Anthem with one or 2 verses. It also provides the sheet music.
New Zealand National Anthem
God Defend New Zealand - 1st verse only mp3 1.3MB (55 seconds)
God Defend New Zealand - both verses mp3 2.3MB (1 minute 39 seconds)
Songs and sheet music
Many event organisers choose songs that hold a special meaning to the cohort of service people the ceremony represents.
In recent national services, songs such as Bill Withers's Lean on Me, Ben E King's Stand By Me and U2's One have been played. John Schumann's I Was Only 19 is a popular choice at many school ceremonies.
For more historic songs, the Australian War Memorial has a sheet music collection.
The National Library of Australia's Trove links to free-access printed music in its Music, Audio & Video catalogue.