Hey true blue, are you able to bear the load?
Australian artist John Williamson penned the lyric in his well-known track True Blue some 43 years in the past.
However as Williamson sang at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday forward of the third Ashes Take a look at, his lyrics assumed contemporary poignancy.
Williamson’s newest efficiency of True Blue got here on a day when the primary funerals had been to be held for the 15 harmless victims killed in final Sunday’s capturing at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Seashore.
‘I firmly have the view we have got to maintain placing one step after the opposite and use cricket as a unifying voice,’ Cricket Australia’s chief govt Todd Greenberg advised reporters in Adelaide.
‘(It is) an actual second in time, notably with John Williamson taking part in.
The Adelaide Oval paused for a second’s silence in the course of the first day of the third Ashes Take a look at to pay tribute to the victims of the Bondi capturing
Australian musician John Williamson (centre) carried out his well-known track ‘True Blue’ in tribute to the victims forward of the match
Each Australia and England wore black armbands in the course of the match because the gamers had been seen lining up on the sector earlier than the anthem
‘We moved actually rapidly to make that occur and I am actually glad he is doing it as a result of will probably be a particular second for cricket but additionally for the nation.’
Williamson’s rendition got here as shockwaves from the Bondi capturing continued to reverberate.
Adelaide Oval’s flags flew at half-mast; Australian and England cricketers wore black arm-bands because the freshly dubbed ‘Christmas Take a look at’ started as something however a celebration.
An elevated police presence patrolled outdoors the hallowed sporting venue, some officers geared up with machine weapons.
Solely kilometres away from Bondi Seashore, further safety and police had been deployed for the Sydney Sixers’ first residence sport of the BBL on the SCG on Wednesday night time.
Sixers and Adelaide Strikers gamers wore black armbands and a second of silence was noticed earlier than play in tribute to the victims of Australia’s worst terrorist assault.
‘We stand along with all Australians’ was projected on the stadium’s huge display screen, earlier than a second of applause honoured the primary responders who risked every part on Sunday night time.
Australian Take a look at captain Pat Cummins, who was in Adelaide with the Take a look at squad on Sunday night time, lives within the japanese suburbs of Sydney.
The Adelaide Oval’s flags flew at half-mast as Australia and England took to the sector
Australia and England had issued a joint tribute earlier within the week, stating: ‘All of our ideas are with the victims, their mates and households, the Jewish group and the individuals of Australia at this deeply distressing time’
Williamson, who has described True Blue as a track for all Australians, no matter background, sang after one minute’s silence at Adelaide Oval
Sixers and Adelaide Strikers gamers wore black armbands and a second of silence was noticed earlier than play in tribute to the victims of Australia’s worst terrorist assault
‘We stand along with all Australians’ was projected on the stadium’s huge display screen, earlier than a second of applause honoured the primary responders who risked every part on Sunday night time
‘Like most different Aussies, I used to be simply horrified watching on,’ Cummins stated on match eve.
‘We take the children there on a regular basis.’
England captain Ben Stokes stated: ‘It does put issues into a number of perspective.
‘For everybody it is affected, all our hearts exit to everybody. It is a horrible factor to see.’
Australia and England had issued a joint tribute earlier within the week.
‘Everyone at Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board is horrified by the tragic occasions at Bondi Seashore yesterday night,’ the assertion learn.
‘All of our ideas are with the victims, their mates and households, the Jewish group and the individuals of Australia at this deeply distressing time.
‘Our condolences exit to all these affected. We stand with you.’
Williamson, who has described True Blue as a track for all Australians, no matter background, sang after one minute’s silence at Adelaide Oval.
After most within the crowd stood immobile, heads bowed, others began singing alongside.
Hey true blue, are you able to bear the load?
