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Anzac Day is a solemn occasion on our country’s calendar, observed every 25 April. It is a day for mourning the horror of war, and for remembering and honouring all those who have served — many of whom paid the ultimate price for their nation.

Like many aspects of Australian society, Anzac Day has deeply Christian roots. From the Lord’s Prayer recited at dawn services, to the inscriptions on war memorials declaring “Greater Love Hath No Man” (John 15:13) — the Christian heritage of Anzac Day remains a shining light, pointing our culture toward our Creator and Redeemer.

The most recognisable phrase of an Anzac dawn service — “Lest we forget” — comes from a Christian poem written by Rudyard Kipling in England. Known as the Recessional, it is often read or sung as a hymn at Anzac Day events.

The phrase “lest we forget” is sounded to call our nation to remember the sacrifice made by our fallen soldiers in war. Yet Kipling penned those words in 1897 with a different meaning in mind.

The Recessional issued a warning against pride in British military might, cautioning that a nation’s success could quickly vanish if that nation forgot God. Kipling based the phrase “lest we forget” on biblical passages such as Deuteronomy 4:8–9 and 6:12, where Moses implores Israel to remember God and his laws:

“And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life.”

“Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”

You can hear the five verses of Kipling’s powerful Recessional read to you in the video below.

The Recessional‘s words read:

God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle-line,
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard,
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard,
For frantic boast and foolish word—
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!

Each Anzac Day, we solemnly commemorate those who died defending our nation. We must never forget the costly sacrifice paid by those who laid down their lives. The phrase “lest we forget” stands as a powerful reminder of the courage and devotion of those who gave everything for our freedom.

The great majority of the original Anzacs were Christians — as was the great majority of the Australian population during World War I. The Anzacs were willing to lay down their lives because they knew the One who had made the ultimate sacrifice. They knew that Jesus’ greatest act of love guaranteed that they would one day rise to eternal life (John 11:25).

This Anzac Day, let us remember the Anzacs and all who have served our nation in war. And as Rudyard Kipling intended, may we — and our nation — be reminded of this enduring truth: “Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget.”

Lest we forget,

Samuel Hartwich & Warwick Marsh