One In, All In

In moving a resolution before the Returned Soldiers’ League last night, Mr Ernest Turnbull pleaded for the development of a ‘team spirit’ in the community and that singleness of purpose which marked Australia’s effort during the Great War.

One in, all in. This was the Digger way.
One in, all in; and battle for your mates.
This was the Digger slogan on a well-remembered day,
When all Australia’s soul was there at war beyond the gates.
For mateship was a precious thing where selfish aims were shed;
And a short shrift and sudden for the man who swung the lead.

Swingin’ the lead in war time;
This was the cardinal sin.
In the perilous days aforetime,
Doin’ your good mates in.
Playin’ the game for your selfish ends,
Comin’ the double on dinkum friends:
This was the deed in war-time,
Ever to shame akin.

One in, all in. Surely the slogan stands.
One in, all in, when the dark days come again.
Surely the Digger spirit, wakened in other lands,
Moves us yet in our own land among our own land’s men.
For mateship stays a precious thing when easy days are fled;
And a stern hand and a hard word for the man who swings the lead.

Swingin’ the lead, tho’ war-time,
Passes, is yet the sin
As ever it was aforetime:
Doin’ your own mates in.
Surely we still can play the game
For sake of our mates and our own good name,
Ever as played in war-time
For the honor of kith and kin.

“Den”
Herald, 10 September 1930, p6