"When the First Bombs Fell" Lyrics

19th February, 1942
Bathurst Island sent a message through
There's a big formation and they're bearing down
From the north west headed straight for Darwin Town

The first bomb exploded down beside the wharf
They hit the USS Peary, and the oil stores
The Neptuna went up in a ball of flame
The black smoke rose when the Zeros came

Smoking barrels on the LMGs
Man the Vickers, grab your 303s
We're on the ropes, but we'll give 'em hell
Darwin rumbled when the first bombs fell

1000 pounders blew the town apart
The hit the Post Office on the Esplanade
The family died in the surprise attack
But the AA batteries were fighting back

The 2nd wave unloaded on the aerodrome
Machine guns rattled, and bombs exploded
Hangars blazing as the shrapnel flies
Armed invaders in Australian skies

Smoking barrels on the LMGs
Man the Vickers, grab your 303s
We're on the ropes, but we'll give 'em hell
Darwin rumbled when the first bombs fell

Smoking barrels on the LMGs
Man the Vickers, grab your 303s
We're on the ropes, but we'll give 'em hell

Smoking barrels on the LMGs
Man the Vickers, grab your 303s
We're on the ropes, but we'll give 'em hell
Darwin rumbled when the first bombs fell