In 1914 the outbreak of World War One produced a large quantity of patriotic songs. Some of the themes reflected in the lyrics of this genre of music are emotional and personal sacrifices, recruitment and anti-conscription. The pressure for eligible young men to enlist was enormous and the campaign included music, posters, poetry, letters and pressure from individuals and groups such as the Win the War League. Patriotic songs were often performed at fundraising concerts, recruitment drives and around the piano at home.

Cooee is an Aboriginal long distance call. It was used in Anglo-Australian music, literature and poetry, and remained popular until WWII as an expression of national sentiment and cultural identity. Cooee songs were sung by volunteers marching to enlist for World War One.

The Oxford companion to Australian music, Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 1997

Currency companion to music & dance in Australia, Sydney : Currency House in association with Currency Press, 2003

Holmes, Robyn The collector's book of sheet music covers, Canberra : National Library of Australia, 2001

South Australians at war : see especially confilicts : World War One

Music Australia : see especially follow a theme : war and peace

Australian War Memorial : see Australians at War, Encyclopedia, E, Enlistment standards